Honorable Eddie Lucio Jr., Chair, Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1855 by Lucio (Relating to appeals of certain determinations by an animal control authority or certain courts.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code to prohibit a court from ordering the destruction of a dog during the pendency of an appeal as put forth by provisions of the bill. The bill would require an animal control authority to notify an owner in writing of the determination that a dog is dangerous.The bill would permit an owner to appeal the decision to a justice or municipal court.The bill would require a court to determine the costs to house an impounded dog during the appeal process and set a bond to cover the costs. The bill would permit a party to appeal the determination of a municipal or justice court to a county court or a county court at law and the party would be entitled to a jury trial on request. The bill specifies that a decision of a county court may be appealed in the same manner as an appeal for any other case in a county court.
The Office of Court Administration reported no significant fiscal impact to the state court system is anticipated.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council