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.