HBA-TBM S.J.R. 49 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.J.R. 49
By: Armbrister
Judicial Affairs
5/10/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the structure of state and local court costs, fees, and fines is
a complex one for cities and counties in Texas.  The administration of
those fees has become a time-consuming and burdensome task, particularly
for those governmental entities with limited resources and manual systems.
Fee consolidation and simplified collection and reporting by courts could
lead to significant savings in time and money.  Senate Join Resolution 49
requires the submission to the voters of a constitutional amendment
promoting uniformity in the collection, deposit, reporting, and remitting
of civil and criminal fees.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

ANALYSIS

Senate Joint Resolution 49 amends the Texas Constitution relating to a fee
in a criminal or civil matter, all or a portion of which is required to be
collected by local officers, clerks, or other local personnel and remitted
to the comptroller of public accounts for deposit.  The resolution provides
that a fee imposed by the legislature after the enactment of a program to
consolidate and standardize the collection, deposit, reporting, and
remitting of fees is valid only if the requirements relating to its
collection, deposit, reporting, and remitting conform to the program.   

FOR ELECTION

This proposed constitutional amendment shall be submitted to the voters at
an election to be held November 6, 2001.