BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 492

By: West

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. S.B. 492 seeks to authorize the use 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

S.B. 492 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.