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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the collection of surcharges assessed under the driver |
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responsibility program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subsection (b), Section 708.153, Transportation |
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Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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(b) A rule under this section: |
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(1) may not permit a person to pay a surcharge over a |
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period of more than 36 consecutive months; and |
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(2) may provide that if the person fails to make a |
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required installment payment, the department may reestablish the |
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installment plan or declare the amount of the unpaid surcharge |
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immediately due and payable. |
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SECTION 2. Section 708.155, Transportation Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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Sec. 708.155. CONTRACTS FOR COLLECTION OF SURCHARGES. |
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(a) The department may enter into a contract with a private |
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attorney or a public or private vendor for the provision of services |
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for the collection of surcharges receivable and related costs under |
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this chapter. |
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(b) To provide for alternative or additional collection |
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methods for surcharges receivable that have not been collected |
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under the original contract, the department may amend the original |
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contract entered into under Subsection (a) or enter into additional |
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contracts under Subsection (a). |
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(c) The total amount of compensation under a contract |
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entered into under this section may not exceed 30 percent of the |
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amount of the surcharges and related costs collected. |
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SECTION 3. Subchapter D, Chapter 708, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 708.157 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 708.157. AMNESTY AND INCENTIVES. (a) The department |
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by rule may establish a periodic amnesty program for holders of a |
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driver's license on which a surcharge has been assessed for certain |
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offenses, as determined by the department. |
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(b) The department by rule may offer a holder of a driver's |
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license on which a surcharge has been assessed an incentive for |
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compliance with the law and efforts at rehabilitation, including a |
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reduction of a surcharge or a decrease in the length of an |
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installment plan. |
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SECTION 4. The changes in law made by this Act to Section |
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708.155, Transportation Code, do not affect the entitlement of a |
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private attorney or a public or private vendor with whom the |
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Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas contracts under |
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that section immediately before September 1, 2007, to bid on the |
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additional contract. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |