BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 4739
	By: Geren (Schwertner)
	Business & Commerce
	5/9/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Current law requires holders of retail charge agreements to remit $.050 to the Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of Texas (comptroller) from every delinquency charge that is in excess of $10. The comptroller originally deposited these funds to the credit of the General Revenue Fund for allocation to the Finance Commission for research, financial education, and counseling services facilitated by the consumer credit commissioner. However, due to the Finance Commission being a self-directed and semi-independent agency, appropriated funds are no longer received and no revenue has been collected from the fee since fiscal year 2019.

H.B. 4739 seeks to improve government efficiency and eliminate the unnecessary collection of fees by repealing outdated provisions providing for the remittance of a portion of retail charge agreement delinquency fees to the comptroller.

H.B. 4739 amends current law relating to the elimination of the requirement that a portion of certain retail charge agreement delinquency fees be remitted to the comptroller.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Repealer: Section 345.157(d) (relating to the remittance of a portion of certain delinquency charges to the Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of Texas and the appropriation of those funds), Finance Code.

SECTION 2. Provides that the change in law made by this Act does not affect tax liability accruing before the effective date of this Act. Provides that that liability continues in effect as if this Act had not been enacted, and the former law is continued in effect for the collection of taxes due and for civil and criminal enforcement of the liability for those taxes.

SECTION 3. Effective date: January 1, 2026.