78R3738 SMJ-D

By:  Puente                                                       H.B. No. 1154



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the authority of counties and municipalities to 
contract for services to collect forfeited bail bonds.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Article 103.0031(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, 
is amended to read as follows:
	(a)  The commissioners court of a county or the governing 
body of a municipality may enter into a contract with a private 
attorney or a public or private vendor for the provision of 
collection services for debts and accounts receivable such as 
forfeited bail bonds, fines, fees, restitution, and other debts or 
costs[, other than forfeited bonds,] ordered to be paid by a court 
serving the county or a court serving the municipality, as 
appropriate.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.