HBA-CMT H.B. 3162 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3162
By: Brown, Fred
Urban Affairs
4/2/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law, is unclear as to whether a municipality is authorized to
accept payment by credit card for fees, fines, court costs, and other
charges without collecting a fee for allowing the use of a credit card.  In
the same section of the Local Government Code there is a provision that
specifically authorizes counties to accept credit card payments and, if
authorized by the commissioners court, accept payment without charging a
fee.  House Bill 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

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 3162 amends the Local Government Code to authorize the governing
body of a municipality to authorize the acceptance of payment by credit
card or by electronic means for fines, fees, court costs, or other charges
without requiring collection of a fee. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.