In 1990, local probation departments in Texas collected over $57 million in probation fees, primarily in response to legislation designed to motivate local probation departments to increase their total revenues through the energetic pursuit of probation fees. The Texas Legislature allows local probation departments to carry into the next fiscal year a portion of probation supervision fees they collect when their combined revenues from probation fees and State aid are greater than their expenses. Texas law also permits fees to be levied on offenders convicted of felonies and misdemeanors. In addition, local probation departments have broad discretion in deciding how to spend probation fee revenues. Specific measures implemented by local probation departments to increase collections are described, and the benefits of having offenders help pay for their probation supervision are discussed. 4 notes