By Hunter of Taylor H.B. No. 2509
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the collection of certain fees, court costs, and fines
1-3 by municipalities and counties.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Article 103.0031, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
1-6 amended to read as follows:
1-7 Art. 103.0031. COLLECTION CONTRACTS. The commissioners
1-8 court of a county or the governing body of a municipality may enter
1-9 into a contract with a public or private vendor to:
1-10 (1) contact persons with outstanding court cases; and
1-11 (2) coordinate payments and provide for the <provision
1-12 of> collection of <services for> fines, fees, restitution, and
1-13 other costs ordered to be paid by a court serving the county or
1-14 municipality.
1-15 SECTION 2. Section 132.002(a), Local Government Code, is
1-16 amended to read as follows:
1-17 (a) The commissioners court of a county may authorize a
1-18 county or precinct officer who collects fees, fines, court costs,
1-19 or other charges to:
1-20 (1) accept payment by credit card of a fee, fine,
1-21 court cost, or other charge; and
1-22 (2) if specifically authorized by the commissioners
1-23 court, collect a fee for processing the payment by credit card.
1-24 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the
2-1 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-2 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-3 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-4 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
2-5 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
2-6 passage, and it is so enacted.