BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 989

By: Thompson, Senfronia

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that the maximum fine amounts for a violation of a municipal rule, ordinance, or police regulation have not been increased by the legislature in over 20 years and that, during that same period, the consumer price index and the rate of inflation have doubled, making the value of the dollar around half of what it was when that legislation was originally passed. Concern has been raised that the current fine amounts have become so inconsequential to flagrant violators such as game room operators and scofflaw sign owners that the fines are now regarded as simply a cost of doing business. To address this concern and to better correlate the fines with the consumer price index and inflation rate, H.B. 989 increases the maximum fines for a violation of certain municipal rules, ordinances, and police regulations.

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

H.B. 989 amends the Local Government Code, Government Code, and the Code of Criminal Procedure to increase from $500 to $1,000 the cap on a fine or penalty for the violation of a municipal rule, ordinance, or police regulation and to increase from $2,000 to $4,000 the cap on a fine or penalty for the violation of a municipal rule, ordinance, or police regulation that governs fire safety, zoning, or public health and sanitation, including dumping of refuse.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.