SRC-JXG H.B. 2725 76(R)   SRC-JXG H.B. 2725 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2725
By: Pickett (Lucio)
State Affairs
5/14/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, certain elected officials are authorized to collect money
payable under Title 2, Code of Criminal Procedure.  H.B. 2725 would
authorize the commissioners court of a county to contract with public and
private entities to collect funds due and owing to the county.   

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2725 authorize the commissioners court of a county to
contract with public and private entities for collection services for
certain debts.    

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Article 103.003, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding
Subsection (c), to provide that this article does not limit the authority
of a county to contract with a public or private vendor for the provision
of collection services under Article 103.0031. 

SECTION 2. Amends Article 103.0031, Code of Criminal Procedure, to
authorize the commissioners court of a county to enter into a contract with
a public or private vendor for the provision of collection services for
debts and accounts receivable such as fines, fees, restitution, bond
forfeitures, and other debts or costs ordered to be paid by a court serving
the county. Authorizes a commissioners court that enters into a contract
under this article with a private attorney to authorize the addition of
attorney's fees on each debt or account receivable referred to the attorney
for collection, in an amount not to exceed 33 percent of the account or
debt.  Makes a conforming change. 

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.