BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 598

By: Koop

Ways & Means

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that 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. H.B. 598 seeks to authorize a county commissioners court to engage the services of a private collection agency for the collection of dishonored checks and credit card invoices.

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. 598 amends the Local Government Code to include referral of a dishonored check or credit card invoice to a private collection agency among the procedures a county tax assessor-collector may establish for the collection of dishonored checks and credit card invoices. The bill authorizes the private collection agency to which a county tax assessor-collector refers a dishonored check or credit card invoice under those procedures 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 county clerk fee schedule.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.