Honorable Pete Gallego, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB27 by Guillen (Relating to the payment of fines and costs by indigent defendants in misdemeanor cases.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to require a court to allow indigent misdemeanor defendants to pay court fines and costs in specified portions at designated intervals.Current law permits (but does not require) a court to allow such defendants to pay court fines and costs in installments. According to the Office of Court Administration, the vast majority of courts already offer payment plans as an option; accordingly, the bill would have no significant fiscal impact. The bill would take effect September 1, 2011.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts