1-1 By: Hunter of Taylor (Senate Sponsor - Armbrister) H.B. No. 2509
1-2 (In the Senate - Received from the House May 15, 1995;
1-3 May 18, 1995, read first time and referred to Committee on
1-4 Intergovernmental Relations; May 26, 1995, reported favorably by
1-5 the following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; May 26, 1995, sent to
1-6 printer.)
1-7 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-8 AN ACT
1-9 relating to the collection of certain fees, court costs, and fines
1-10 by municipalities and counties.
1-11 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-12 SECTION 1. Article 103.0031, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
1-13 amended to read as follows:
1-14 Art. 103.0031. COLLECTION CONTRACTS. The commissioners
1-15 court of a county or the governing body of a municipality may enter
1-16 into a contract with a public or private vendor to:
1-17 (1) contact persons with outstanding court cases; and
1-18 (2) coordinate payments and provide for the <provision
1-19 of> collection of <services for> fines, fees, restitution, and
1-20 other costs ordered to be paid by a court serving the county or
1-21 municipality.
1-22 SECTION 2. Section 132.002(a), Local Government Code, is
1-23 amended to read as follows:
1-24 (a) The commissioners court of a county may authorize a
1-25 county or precinct officer who collects fees, fines, court costs,
1-26 or other charges to:
1-27 (1) accept payment by credit card of a fee, fine,
1-28 court cost, or other charge; and
1-29 (2) if specifically authorized by the commissioners
1-30 court, collect a fee for processing the payment by credit card.
1-31 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the
1-32 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-33 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
1-34 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
1-35 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
1-36 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
1-37 passage, and it is so enacted.
1-38 * * * * *