BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3778

By: Koop

Ways & Means

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, interested parties note, a county may only engage law enforcement agencies for the collection of dishonored checks and credit card invoices received by the county tax assessor-collector. The parties suggest that counties should have the option to engage the services of a private collection agency for such collection. H.B. 3778 seeks to provide that option.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3778 amends the Local Government Code to expand the procedures a county tax assessor-collector may establish for the collection of dishonored checks and credit card invoices to include the referral of a dishonored check or credit card invoice to a private collection agency. The bill authorizes a private collection agency to which the county tax assessor-collector refers a dishonored check or credit card invoice to charge a fee to the person responsible for the check or invoice in an amount equal to any amount authorized for a returned check under the fee schedule established for a county clerk for the collection of fees other than court fees.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.