By: West S.B. No. 492

(Koop)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to procedures of a county tax assessor-collector for collection of dishonored checks and invoices; authorizing a fee.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 130.006, Local Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 130.006. PROCEDURES FOR COLLECTION OF DISHONORED CHECKS AND INVOICES. (a) A county tax assessor-collector may establish procedures for the collection of dishonored checks and credit card invoices. The procedures may include:

(1) official notification to the maker that the check or invoice has not been honored and that the receipt, registration, certificate, or other instrument issued on the receipt of the check or invoice is not valid until payment of the fee or tax is made;

(2) notification of the sheriff or other law enforcement officers that a check or credit card invoice has not been honored and that the receipt, registration, certificate, or other instrument held by the maker is not valid; [and]

(3) notification to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, the comptroller of public accounts, or the Department of Public Safety that the receipt, registration, certificate, or other instrument held by the maker is not valid; and

(4) referral of a dishonored check or credit card invoice to a private collection agency.

(b) If the county tax assessor-collector refers a dishonored check or credit card invoice to a private collection agency under Subsection (a)(4), the private collection agency may 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 Section 118.011.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2017.