SRC-JEC, SEW S.B. 201 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 201
By: Carona
Intergovernmental Relations
6/6/2001
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, a county tax assessor-collector is authorized to accept payment
by credit card and electronic means for certain taxes and fees and to
collect a processing and handling fee.  S.B. 201 authorizes a county or
municipality to collect payment of certain fees by electronic means via the
Internet, and to contract with vendors to do so. 

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 Chapter 132, Local Government Code, by adding Section
132.007, as follows: 

Sec. 132.007.  INFORMATION AND  PAYMENT THROUGH THE INTERNET.  (a)
Authorizes a county or municipality to provide through the Internet access
to information; or collection of payments for taxes, fines, fees, court
costs, or other charges. 

(b)  Authorizes a county or municipality to charge a reasonable fee for
providing a service authorized by this section. 

(c) Sets forth guidelines regarding fees that a county or municipality that
provides access to information through the Internet under Subsection (a)(1)
is authorized to charge. 

(d) Authorizes a county or municipality to contract with a vendor to
perform a service authorized by Subsection (a).  Requires a vendor to
promptly submit to the county or municipality all payments collected on
behalf of the county or municipality under this section.  Requires the
county or municipality to approve any fee charged by a vendor for a service
performed under this section. 

SECTION 2.   Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2001.