SRC-JEC H.B. 2804 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2804
77R8339 CAS-FBy: Kolkhorst (Ogden)
Jurisprudence
5/8/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Abstracts of judgments assist in the collection of judgments by creating an
involuntary lien against the non-exempt real property of a judgment debtor.
Since an abstract is used to create an involuntary lien, it is important to
verify the information contained in the abstract to ensure its accuracy.
H.B. 2804 requires a court or court clerk, upon request, to prepare and
certify an abstract of a judgment.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency.  

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 12.013, Property Code, to delete a reference to
an abstract of a judgment. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Sections 52.002, 52.004, and 52.005, Property Code, as
follows: 

Sec. 52.002.  (a) Authorizes a judge or justice of the peace who rendered a
judgment in favor of a person or the clerk of the court in which the
judgment is rendered, on application of the person or the person's agent,
attorney, or assignee, to prepare, certify, and deliver to the applicant an
abstract of the judgment.  Requires the applicant for the abstract to pay
the fee authorized by law for providing the abstract. 

(b) Authorizes the attorney of a person in whose favor a judgment is
rendered in a small claims court or a justice court or a person in whose
favor a judgment is rendered in a court other than a small claims court or
a justice court or that person's agent, attorney, or assignee to prepare
the abstract of the judgment.  Makes a conforming change. 

  Deletes Subsection (c), regarding a clerk preparing the abstract.

Sec. 52.004.  Requires a county clerk to immediately record in the county
real property records, rather than judgment records, each properly
authenticated abstract of judgment that is presented for recording.
Deletes text regarding the format of each recorded abstract.  Makes
conforming changes. 

Sec. 52.005.  Authorizes satisfaction of a judgment in whole or in part to
be shown by recordation of certain information. 

SECTION 3.  Repealer: Section 192.004, Local Government Code.

SECTION 4.   Effective date: September 1, 2001.
  Makes application of this Act retroactive.