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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the collection of fines, fees, and court costs in |
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criminal actions and proceedings. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Article 103.003, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: |
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(a-1) The clerk of a municipal court may collect money |
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payable to the municipal court under this title. |
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SECTION 2. Article 103.0081, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Art. 103.0081. UNCOLLECTIBLE FINES AND FEES. (a) Any |
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officer authorized by this chapter to collect a fine, fee, or item |
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of cost may request the trial court in which a criminal action or |
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proceeding was held to make a finding that a fine, fee, or item of |
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cost imposed in the action or proceeding is uncollectible if the |
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officer believes: |
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(1) the defendant is deceased; |
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(2) the defendant is serving a sentence for |
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imprisonment for life or life without parole; or |
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(3) the fine, fee, or item of cost has been unpaid for |
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at least 15 years. |
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(b) On a finding by a court that any condition described by |
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Subsections (a)(1)-(3) is true, the court may order the officer to |
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designate the fine, fee, or item of cost as uncollectible in the fee |
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record. The officer shall attach a copy of the court's order to the |
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fee record. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |