BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1733

By: Zedler

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that allowing advertisements for licensed bail bond sureties to be posted in secure correctional facilities would establish a new source of revenue for such facilities and help them manage operational costs, while ensuring that inmates have access to information regarding bail and surety bonds. H.B. 1733 seeks to allow secure correctional facilities to post such advertisements.

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. 1733 amends the Occupations Code to authorize a municipal or county jail or a confinement facility operated by or under a contract with any division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to post in the jail or facility an advertisement or other information regarding a bail bond surety or an agent of a corporate surety licensed in the county where the jail or facility is located.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.