BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

H.B. 478

82R1118  NAJ-D

By: Orr (Birdwell)

 

Transportation & Homeland Security

 

5/13/2011

 

Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Current law mandates that a 15 cent court cost be assessed for each violation of the law establishing the offense of failing to secure a child passenger in a motor vehicle and required the collected costs to be sent to the comptroller of public accounts each month.  The amounts collected statewide have been minuscule since this court cost was enacted.  The continued assessment and collection of the 15 cent cost is ineffective and inefficient.

 

H.B. 478  repeals the requirement to assess and collect the 15 cent court cost associated with the offense of failing to secure a child passenger in a motor vehicle.

 

H.B. 478 amends current law relating to certain court costs associated with the offense of failing to secure a child passenger in a motor vehicle.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Repealers: (1) Section 545.412(b-1) (relating to requiring a 15 cent court cost on conviction), Transportation Code;

 

(2) Section 102.104 (Additional Court Costs on Conviction in Justice Courts: Transportation Code), Government Code; and

 

(3) Section 102.122 (Additional Court Costs on Conviction in Municipal Court: Transportation Code), Government Code.

 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2011.