HBA-BSM H.B. 451 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 451
By: Talton
Criminal Jurisprudence
7/25/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 77th Legislature, in personal bond offices, an employee had to
be a notary public to administer an oath to a defendant in a trial.
Because of the volume of oaths administered, many employees had to be
notaries public to ensure that the oath to a defendant was witnessed 24
hours a day at multiple locations. In Harris County alone, personal bond
office employees administered roughly 60,000 personal bond oaths each year
while preparing the necessary paperwork for a defendant's initial court
hearing. House Bill 451 authorizes an employee of a personal bond office to
administer an oath and give a certificate of the fact if the oath is
required or authorized by law. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 451 amends the Government Code to authorize employees of
personal bond offices to administer an oath and give a certificate of the
fact. The bill amends the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to authorize
employees of personal bond offices to take an acknowledgment or proof of a
written instrument.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

June 15, 2001.