SRC-JXG C.S.S.B. 779 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 779 76R9644 SMH-DBy: Madla Intergovernmental Relations 3/25/1999 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST Currently, Texas law does not allow the county tax assessor collector to accept tax payments electronically. However, the State of Texas may require businesses making large tax payments to the state to be paid electronically. C.S.S.B. 779 would authorize the county tax assessor collector to require banks and mortgage companies making aggregate payments in excess of a certain amount to transfer funds electronically. PURPOSE As proposed, C.S.S.B. 779 authorizes banks and mortgage companies making aggregate payments in excess of a certain amount to transfer funds electronically to the county tax assessor collector. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 31.01(c), Tax Code, to require the tax bill or a separate statement accompanying the tax bill to state that the tax must be paid by electronic funds transfer, if the taxing unit requires payment by that means. Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 2. Amends Section 31.06(a), Tax Code, to authorize a collector to accept a check or money order in payment of taxes, and to accept payment by credit card or electronic funds transfer. Authorizes a collector to require a person to pay taxes by electronic funds transfer, if the taxes imposed on the person's property by all of the taxing units for which the collector collects taxes equaled $250,000 or more in the preceding tax year, and equal $10,000 or more in the current tax year. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Amends Section 31.01(c), Tax Code, to require the tax bill or a separate statement accompanying the tax bill to state that the tax must be paid by electronic funds transfer, if the taxing unit requires payment by that means. Deletes proposed text regarding processing fees for electronic funds. Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 2. Amends Section 31.06(a), Tax Code, to authorize a collector to require a person to pay taxes by electronic funds transfer, if the taxes imposed on the person's property by all of the taxing units for which the collector collects taxes equaled $250,000 or more in the preceding tax year, and equal $10,000 or more in the current tax year. Deletes proposed Subsection (e), Section 31.06, Tax Code, authorizing the collector to collect a fee for processing payments.