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