H.B. 249 78 ) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 249 By: Goolsby County Affairs Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The purpose of HB 249 is to increase the fee for returned checks collected by county clerks from the current range of not less than $15 or more than $25 to a range of not less than $15 or more than $30 (Local Government Code, 118.011(b)). The county treasurer currently collects a fee of not less than $15 or more than $30 for returned checks (Local Government Code, 118.141). This legislation will provide county clerks with the same fee range for returned checks as other county officers. In addition, this legislation would allow the county tax assessor-collectors to charge not less than $15 or more tan $30 for returned checks. County tax assessor-collectors have the same authority as county clerks to collect returned check fees (Local Government Code, 118.171). RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS Section 1: Changes the maximum amount a county clerk may collect for a returned check from $25 to $30. Section 2: Provides an effective date of September 1, 2003. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003