HBA-JEK S.B. 1308 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1308 By: Barrientos County Affairs 4/29/2001 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Many counties impose licensing fees that are neither specifically authorized nor prohibited by law. Recent attorney general opinions indicate that counties, like state licensing agencies, may not prescribe any fee which is not specifically authorized by statute. Senate Bill 1308 authorizes the commissioners court of a county to set reasonable fees for administering flood insurance and issuing a license, permit, or registration regarding roads and bridges if such fees are authorized by statute but not specifically prescribed. 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 Senate Bill 1308 amends the Transportation Code to authorize the commissioners court of a county to set a reasonable fee for issuing a license, permit, or registration regarding county authority over roads and bridges that is authorized by statute but not specifically prescribed by statute. The bill also amends the Water Code to authorize the commissioners court of a county to set reasonable and necessary fees to administer the Flood Control and Insurance Act. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.