By Jones of Dallas                                    H.B. No. 3204
         Line and page numbers may not match official copy.
         Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E.
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to authorizing counties and municipalities to enter into
 1-3     contracts to provide services and accept payments through the
 1-4     Internet.
 1-5           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-6           SECTION 1. Chapter 132, Local Government Code, is amended by
 1-7     adding Section 132.007 as follows:
 1-8           Sec. 132.007.  CONTRACTS FOR PAYMENT THROUGH THE INTERNET.
 1-9     (a)  A county or municipality may:
1-10                 (1)  provide or contract with a vendor to provide
1-11     access to information through the Internet;
1-12                 (2)  collect or contract with a vendor to collect
1-13     through the Internet the payment of taxes, fines, fees, court
1-14     costs, and other charges; or
1-15                 (3)  both (1) and (2).
1-16           (b)  A vendor shall promptly remit all payments received
1-17     under this subsection to the county or municipality.
1-18           (c)  Notwithstanding any other law, a county, municipality or
1-19     vendor collecting payments or providing a service authorized by
1-20     this section may assess and retain a reasonable fee.  A fee
1-21     assessed and retained by a vendor under this subsection must be
1-22     approved by the county or municipality.
1-23           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
 2-1     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
 2-2     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
 2-3     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
 2-4     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.