BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        H.B. 2509
                                      By: Hunter, B. (Armbrister)
                                      Intergovernmental Relations
                                                          5-26-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

Currently, county governments are authorized to enter into
agreements with public or private vendors for the provision of
collection services for fines, fees, restitution, and other costs
ordered to be paid by a court serving the county.  Cities are not
given this express authority.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2509 authorizes cities and counties to contract
with a public or private vendor for the provision of collection
services for fines, fees, restitution, and other costs ordered to
be paid by a court serving the county.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or
agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Article 103.0031, Code of Criminal Procedure, as
follows:

     Art. 103.0031.  COLLECTION CONTRACTS.  Authorizes the
     commissioners court of a county or the governing body of a
     municipality to enter into a contract with a public or private
     vendor to contact persons with outstanding court cases and
     coordinate payments and provide for the collection of fines,
     fees, restitution, and other costs ordered to be paid by a
     court serving the county or municipality.
     
     SECTION 2.     Amends Section 132.002(a), Local Government Code, to
authorize the commissioners court of a county to authorize a county
or precinct officer who collects fees, fines, court costs, or other
charges to collect a fee for processing the payment by credit card,
if specifically authorized by the commissioners court.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.