BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                             H.B. 445

                                                                                                                                          By: Phillips

                                                                                                         Juvenile Justice & Family Issues

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Neither the current Family Code nor case law expressly states which party has the burden of proof when seeking an offset to a claim for reimbursement. 

 

H.B.445 clarifies which party making the claim has the burden of proof with respect to the offset.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. 

 

ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1:              Amends Section 3.408 of the Family Code by adding Subsection (e) to provide that the party seeking an offset to a claim for reimbursement has the burden of proof with respect to the offset.

 

SECTION 2:              The change in law made by this Act applies only to a suit for dissolution of marriage pending before a trial court on or filed on or after the effective date of this Act.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2007.