Bill: HB 121, 84(R) - 2015

Committee

House Criminal Jurisprudence

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation	Economic Freedom	Property Rights	Personal Responsibility	Limited Government	Individual Liberty
Yes	Neutral	Neutral	Positive	Positive	Neutral

Author(s)

Allen Fletcher

Co-Author(s)

Cecil Bell Jr.

Terry Canales

Dan Flynn

Joe Pickett

Bill Caption

Relating to an alternative means of payment of certain criminal fines and court costs.

Fiscal Notes

The bill would have a positive but indeterminate fiscal implication; the number of defendants who would choose the option provided in the legislation cannot be estimated at this time.

Bill Analysis

HB 121 would amend the chapter entitled “Collection and Recordkeeping” within the Code of Criminal Procedure to reflect an alternative payment procedure. The proposed alternative would allow a peace officer to electronically accept payment of capias pro fines via debit or credit card rather than having to automatically make an arrest of a person who has defaulted on his or her agreement with a court of law.

Vote Recommendation Notes

HB 121 would allow a more expedient procedure for paying fines. This would allow the courts to address more pressing matters than past due capias pro fines. While this bill may place another responsibility on the shoulders of certain peace officers, and may require some training on how to process the payments, it is less of a burden than making an arrest and transporting the arrestee to jail. We support this bill on the grounds of our limited government and personal responsibility principles.

Organizations Supporting

Texas Public Policy Foundation

Source URL (retrieved on 04/19/2024 05:04 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/84r/hb121?print_view=true