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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to authorizing municipalities to enforce certain |
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regulations relating to pawnshops; providing a criminal penalty. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 371.005, Finance Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 371.005. REGULATORY AND ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY. (a) |
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The legislature has exclusive authority regarding the operation of |
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pawnshops, except for a matter delegated by this chapter to the |
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commissioner or except as provided by Subsection (b). The |
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commissioner has the authority to regulate only a business practice |
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that requires a pawnshop license. |
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(b) The governing body of a municipality may adopt an |
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ordinance to enforce a provision of this chapter, other than a |
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provision relating to licensing, against an individual who holds a |
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pawnshop license issued by this state or an employee of a person who |
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holds a pawnshop license issued by this state. An ordinance adopted |
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under this subsection may not provide a penalty greater than a Class |
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C misdemeanor. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |