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


Senate Research Center   S.B. 201
77R2761 JMG-DBy: Carona
Intergovernmental Relations
3/8/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, under Chapter 130, Local Government Code, 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.  As proposed, S.B. 201 authorizes a county to collect payment
of traffic fines by electronic means via the Internet. 

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 the heading to Chapter 130A, Local Government Code, to
read as follows: 

SUBCHAPTER A.  PAYMENT OF FEES, FINES, AND TAXES BY CHECK, CREDIT CARD, OR
ELECTRONIC MEANS. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Chapter 130A, Local Government Code, by adding Section
130.010, as follows: 

Sec. 130.010.  ELECTRONIC PAYMENT OF TRAFFIC FINES.  Authorizes the
commissioners court of a county by order to authorize the county to collect
a fine for a violation of a county or state traffic law using a
commissioners-court-approved electronic means of payment via the Internet.  

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2001.