BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                    C.S.H.B. 2272

                                                                                                                                  By: McClendon

                                                                                                                                              Judiciary

                                                                                                        Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Improvements to the facilities housing the Bexar County civil and criminal courts are needed. The purpose of this bill is to impose a fee on civil filings in Bexar County to fund such improvements.

 

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

 

The bill would add a provision to the Government Code requiring court clerks to collect a filing fee of up to $15 in certain civil cases.  The fee would be used to fund improvements to courthouse facilities. The fee is contingent on a commissioners court resolution and is subject to rescission by the commissioners court. The fee would sunset in 2020.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

Immediately on receipt of required vote; otherwise September 1, 2007.

 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

 

The substitute removes justice court filings from the filing fee in Section 1 of the bill. The substitute also extends the sunset date of the fee from October 1, 2020 to October 1, 2022.