1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to authorizing counties and municipalities to provide
 1-3     information and to enter into contracts for the payment of taxes,
 1-4     fees, or other charges through the 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 to read as follows:
 1-8           Sec. 132.007.  INFORMATION AND PAYMENT THROUGH THE INTERNET.
 1-9     (a)  A county or municipality may provide through the Internet:
1-10                 (1)  access to information; or
1-11                 (2)  collection of payments for taxes, fines, fees,
1-12     court costs, or other charges.
1-13           (b)  A county or municipality may charge a reasonable fee for
1-14     providing a service authorized by this section.
1-15           (c)  A county or municipality that provides access to
1-16     information through the Internet under Subsection (a)(1):
1-17                 (1)  may only charge a fee for the access designed to
1-18     recover the costs directly and reasonably incurred in providing the
1-19     access; and
1-20                 (2)  may charge the fee only if the governing body of
1-21     the county or municipality determines that providing access to the
1-22     information through the Internet would not be feasible without the
1-23     imposition of the charge.
1-24           (d)  A county or municipality may contract with a vendor to
1-25     perform a service authorized by Subsection (a).  A vendor must
 2-1     promptly submit to the county or municipality all payments
 2-2     collected on behalf of the county or municipality under this
 2-3     section.  The county or municipality must approve any fee charged
 2-4     by a vendor for a service performed under this section.
 2-5           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
 2-6     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
 2-7     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
 2-8     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
 2-9     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 201 passed the Senate on
         March 20, 2001, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0, one
         present, not voting.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 201 passed the House on
         April 27, 2001, by the following vote:  Yeas 143, Nays 0, two
         present, not voting.
                                             _______________________________
                                                Chief Clerk of the House
         Approved:
         _______________________________
                      Date
         _______________________________
                    Governor