By:  Gattis (Senate Sponsor - Wentworth)                          H.B. No. 2148
	(In the Senate - Received from the House May 12, 2003; 
May 13, 2003, read first time and referred to Committee on 
Intergovernmental Relations; May 23, 2003, reported favorably by 
the following vote:  Yeas 5, Nays 0; May 23, 2003, sent to 
printer.)


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT


relating to the prohibition of a restriction or condition placed on 
a check tendered in payment of delinquent ad valorem taxes, 
penalties, and interest.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Tax Code, is amended by 
adding Section 33.10 to read as follows:
	Sec. 33.10.  RESTRICTED OR CONDITIONAL PAYMENTS OF 
DELINQUENT TAXES, PENALTIES, AND INTEREST PROHIBITED.  Unless the 
restriction or condition is authorized by this title, a restriction 
or condition placed on a check in payment of delinquent taxes by the 
maker that purports to limit the amount of delinquent taxes owed to 
an amount less than that stated in the applicable delinquent tax 
roll, or a restriction or condition placed on a check in payment of 
penalties and interest on delinquent taxes by the maker that 
purports to limit the amount of the penalties and interest to an 
amount less than the amount of penalties and interest accrued on the 
delinquent taxes, is void.
	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.



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