BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1230

By: Anderson, Rodney

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that, currently, a municipal court's jurisdiction over certain offenses involving an overweight vehicle is restricted to cases for which the fine does not exceed $500, while other courts are authorized to impose much higher fines for similar offenses. These parties contend that this jurisdictional limitation seems to encourage truck drivers to choose routes through municipalities instead of through rural areas to avoid the possibility of a greater fine amount. H.B. 1230 seeks to address this issue.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 1230 amends the Transportation Code to remove a provision limiting the jurisdiction of a municipal court relating to an offense for the operation of an overweight vehicle by the holder of an overweight vehicle permit to such an offense for which the fine does not exceed $500.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.