BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 432

By: West

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties explain that prior legislation authorized an additional filing fee on cases filed in certain Dallas County courts and that the revenue is used to construct, renovate, or improve facilities that house certain Dallas County courts. However, the parties point out that the filing fee can be abolished by the earlier of the date a resolution adopted by the commissioners court is rescinded or July 1, 2016. These parties further report that Dallas County is currently transitioning to what is characterized as pay-as-you-go financing, with the goal of being debt‑free in a few years. The parties contend that in order to help Dallas County achieve this goal, while also allowing the county to pay for needed repairs without issuing bonds, the expiration date for this additional filing fee should be extended. S.B. 432 seeks to authorize Dallas County to continue to collect this additional filing fee.

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

S.B. 432 amends the Government Code to postpone from July 1, 2016, to July 1, 2030, the date on which the year-to-year continuation of a resolution adopted by the Dallas county commissioners court authorizing the county to collect an additional filing fee for a judicial fund ends.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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