SRC-JEC, SEW C.S.S.B. 201 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 201 77R9722 JRD-DBy: Carona Intergovernmental Relations 3/13/2001 Committee Report (Substituted) 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. C.S.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. CONTRACTS FOR PAYMENT THROUGH THE INTERNET. (a) Authorizes a county or municipality to provide for the collection, through the Internet, 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) 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. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES Differs from original by: _amending the caption; _amending Chapter 132, rather than Chapter 130, Local Government Code; _adding a section to Chapter 132, rather than Chapter 130, Local Government Code; _providing for a municipality or a county, rather than just a county, to collect certain payments, rather than just traffic fines, through the Internet; _authorizing the collection of a fee for providing Internet payment options; and _providing for the county or municipality to contract with a vendor to collect payments through the Internet.