By Carona                                              S.B. No. 201
         77R2761 JMG-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the authority of certain counties to collect traffic
 1-3     fines through Internet transactions.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  The heading to Subchapter A, Chapter 130, Local
 1-6     Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
 1-7             SUBCHAPTER A.  PAYMENT OF FEES, FINES, AND TAXES BY
 1-8                   CHECK, CREDIT CARD, OR ELECTRONIC MEANS
 1-9           SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 130, Local Government Code,
1-10     is amended by adding Section 130.010 to read as follows:
1-11           Sec. 130.010.  ELECTRONIC PAYMENT OF TRAFFIC FINES.  The
1-12     commissioners court of a county by order may authorize the county
1-13     to collect a fine for a violation of a traffic law of the county or
1-14     this state using a payment by an electronic means approved by the
1-15     commissioners court in which the county receives payment through
1-16     the Internet.
1-17           SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
1-18     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
1-19     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
1-20     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
1-21     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.