HBA-NMO S.C.R. 12 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.C.R. 12 By: Ellis Judicial Affairs 5/10/1999 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE A 1996 survey by the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System found that county-level courts have a collection rate of 61 percent for an average loss of $412,000 in uncollected fines, while district courts collect just 26 percent for an average loss of $570,000. A simplification of the fee collection process may enable smaller jurisdictions to use a lesser share of their limited resources in identifying, collecting, and remitting fees. In addition, courts may increase collection efficiency through other measures such as on-site training, manuals, software, and toll-free assistance lines. S.C.R. 12 provides that the 76th Texas Legislature direct the comptroller of public accounts to develop strategies for increasing the efficiency and reducing the complexity of fee collection and dispersal by county and municipal clerks. 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 S.C.R. 12 provides that the 76th Texas Legislature direct the comptroller of public accounts to develop strategies for increasing the efficiency and reducing the complexity of fee collection and dispersal by county and municipal clerks and to submit recommendations to the legislature no later than January 1, 2001. Provides that the secretary of state forward an official copy of this resolution to the comptroller of public accounts.