BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 435

By: Lucio

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties explain that an oath and certificate of the fact may be administered by a wide variety of authorized individuals in Texas but point out that county treasurers lack the authority to swear in deputies and are forced to rely on external authorities to administer oaths, which can cause delays. The parties also point out that the requirements relating to an introductory course a county treasurer is required to complete need to be changed to provide more flexibility for these officials. In an effort to streamline the duties of a county treasurer, S.B. 435 seeks to authorize a county treasurer to administer an oath and to revise the course requirements.

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. 435 amends the Government Code to add a county treasurer to the list of persons authorized to administer an oath made in Texas and give a certificate of the fact.

S.B. 435 amends the Local Government Code to change from within one year after the date on which a person first takes office as county treasurer to within one year after the date on which the person is first elected as county treasurer the period within which the person is required to successfully complete an introductory course of instruction in the performance of the duties of county treasurer if elected to a full term. The bill specifies that the earliest available date on which a county treasurer is required to successfully complete such a course if appointed by the commissioners court or elected to an unexpired term of county treasurer is the earliest available date after appointment or election.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.