SRC-JEC H.B. 3162 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3162 77R9657 JMG-FBy: Brown, Fred (Ogden) Intergovernmental Relations 5/6/2001 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Current law is ambiguous regarding the collection of a fee by a municipality for the collection of fees, fines, court costs, and other charges via credit card. H.B. 3162 authorizes municipalities to accept payment of fees, fines, court costs, and other charges by credit card or other electronic means without charging an additional fee for providing the service. 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 132.002, Local Government Code, by adding Subsection (c) and redesignating subsequent subsections, to authorize the governing body of a municipality to authorize the acceptance of payment by credit card without requiring collection of a fee. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.