Texas Transportation Code

§ 542.402 — DISPOSITION OF FINES

TN § 542.402Title 7. VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC · Part C. RULES OF THE ROAD · Ch. 542. GENERAL PROVISIONS · Art. D. PENALTIES AND COSTS OF COURT

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(a)Except as provided by Subsection (b-1), a municipality or county shall use a fine collected for a violation of a highway law in this title to:

(1)construct and maintain roads, bridges, and culverts in the municipality or county;

(2)enforce laws regulating the use of highways by motor vehicles; and

(3)defray the expense of county traffic officers.

(b)In each fiscal year, a municipality having a population of less than 5,000 may retain, from fines collected for violations of this title and fines collected under Article 45A.302, Code of Criminal Procedure, in cases in which a violation of this title is alleged, an amount equal to 30 percent of the municipality's revenue for the preceding fiscal year from all sources, other than federal funds and bond proceeds, as shown by the audit performed under Section 103.001, Local Government Code. After a municipality has retained that amount, the municipality shall send to the comptroller any portion of a fine collected that exceeds $1. (b-1) Subject to Subsection (b-2), a county may use a fine collected for a violation of a highway law as the county determines appropriate if:

(1)the county has a population of less than 5,000; and

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Legislative history

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1286 (H.B. 1517), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1352 (S.B. 346), Sec. 4.38, eff. January 1, 2020. Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 765 (H.B. 4504), Sec. 2.173, eff. January 1, 2025.