BWH H.B. 1474 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS COUNTY AFFAIRS H.B. 1474 By: Bonnen 3-19-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Chapter 154, Local Government Code prohibits payment of county funds to a person owing a debt to the state, a county, or salary fund until such person is notified of the outstanding debt and the debt is paid. Although current law requires that notices of indebtedness be filed with the county auditor, some counties do not have auditors to perform this function. In other instances, the county treasurer may be the proper office to handle such filings. PURPOSE This bill would authorize the filing of a notice of indebtedness with a county treasurer as well as a county auditor to ensure that county funds are not disbursed to a person owing a debt to the state, a county, or a salary fund. 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. This section amends Section 154.025, Local Government Code, by allowing a notice of indebtedness to be filed with the county treasurer as well as a county auditor to ensure that county funds are not disbursed to persons with outstanding debts to the state, the county, or a salary fund. SECTION 2. Amends Section 154.045, Local Government Code, by allowing a notice of indebtedness to be filed with the county treasurer as well as a county auditor to ensure that county funds are not disbursed to persons with outstanding debts to the state, the county, or a salary fund. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.