79R4451 KEG-D

By:  Brimer                                                       S.B. No. 556



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the collection of certain fines, penalties, expenses, 
and interest by certain municipalities.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 54, Local Government Code, is amended by 
adding Subchapter Z to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER Z.  MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
	Sec. 54.901.  COLLECTION OF FINES, PENALTIES, EXPENSES, AND 
INTEREST.  (a)  This section applies only to an eligible central 
municipality as that term is defined by Section 351.001, Tax Code.
	(b)  On the request of a municipality, the person who 
assesses the ad valorem taxes for the municipality shall include on 
the ad valorem tax bill sent under Section 31.01, Tax Code, to the 
owner of a property separate items for:
		(1)  a fine or penalty imposed under Section 54.001;                   
		(2)  a civil penalty imposed under Section 54.017 or 
54.037;         
		(3)  a civil penalty imposed or an expense assessed 
under Section 214.0015;
		(4)  a fine imposed or an expense assessed under 
Section 214.002;    
		(5)  an expense assessed under Section 342.007, Health 
and Safety Code; and
		(6)  accrued interest on a fine, penalty, or expense 
listed in Subdivisions (1)-(5).
	(c)  The tax bill must show the total amount due, and that 
amount must include the ad valorem taxes, the fine or penalty 
imposed or expense assessed, and the interest accrued.
	(d)  At the time the property owner pays the ad valorem taxes 
on the property to the person who collects the ad valorem taxes for 
the municipality, the property owner shall pay to that collector 
the fine or penalty imposed or expense assessed and the interest 
accrued.
	(e)  If the person who assesses or collects taxes for a 
municipality is not an officer or employee of the municipality, the 
municipality shall negotiate with the person a reasonable fee to be 
paid to the person for services performed by the person under this 
section.
	SECTION 2.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 54, Local Government Code, 
as added by this Act, applies to the collection of a fine or penalty 
imposed or an expense assessed by a municipality and the related 
interest accrued before, on, or after the effective date of this 
Act.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.