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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to district or county attorneys engaged in the business of |
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debt collection; authorizing a civil penalty. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 41, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 41.0051 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 41.0051. PRIVATE DEBT COLLECTION PROHIBITED. (a) |
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Except as provided by Section 41.005, a district or county attorney |
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may not: |
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(1) engage in the business of debt collection; or |
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(2) allow a third party to use the letterhead or seal |
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of the county, the county attorney, or the district attorney to |
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engage in the business of debt collection. |
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(b) A county or district attorney that violates Subsection |
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(a) is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $500. |
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(c) The attorney general or the appropriate district or |
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county attorney may bring an action under this section in the name |
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of the state in a district court in: |
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(1) Travis County; or |
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(2) a county in which any part of the violation occurs. |
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(d) A penalty collected under this section by the attorney |
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general or a district or county attorney shall be deposited in the |
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state treasury to the credit of the general revenue fund. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |