1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the collection of costs in criminal cases.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Article 103.003, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
1-5 amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
1-6 (c) This article does not limit the authority of a county to
1-7 contract with a public or private vendor for the provision of
1-8 collection services under Article 103.0031.
1-9 SECTION 2. Article 103.0031, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
1-10 amended to read as follows:
1-11 Art. 103.0031. COLLECTION CONTRACTS. (a) The commissioners
1-12 court of a county may enter into a contract with a public or
1-13 private vendor for the provision of collection services for debts
1-14 and accounts receivable such as fines, fees, restitution, bond
1-15 forfeitures, and other debts or costs ordered to be paid by a court
1-16 serving the county.
1-17 (b) A commissioners court that enters into a contract with a
1-18 private attorney under this article may authorize the addition of
1-19 attorney's fees in the amount of 28 percent on each debt or account
1-20 receivable that is more than 60 days past due and has been referred
1-21 to the attorney for collection.
1-22 (c) A defendant is not liable for the attorney's fees
1-23 authorized under Subsection (b) if a court has determined the
1-24 defendant is indigent, or has insufficient resources or income, or
2-1 is otherwise unable to pay all or part of the underlying fine or
2-2 costs.
2-3 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the
2-4 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-5 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-6 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-7 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
2-8 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
2-9 passage, and it is so enacted.
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2725 was passed by the House on May
4, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0, 2 present, not
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
No. 2725 on May 20, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 0,
3 present, not voting.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2725 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 18, 1999, by a viva-voce vote.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor