HLS 16RS-1263 ORIGINAL
2016 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 659
BY REPRESENTATIVE JAMES
COURTS: Provides with respect to court costs
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 13:1898(C), relative to the collection of certain processing fees;
3 to provide for a maximum processing fee for certain credit card payments; and to
4 provide for related matters.
5Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 13:1898(C) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
7 ยง1898. Collection and disposition of fines, forfeitures, penalties, and costs in city
8 court
9 * * *
10 C. The clerk of the city court or the marshal may accept payment by credit
11 card or electronic check for all fines, forfeitures, penalties, and costs. The clerk of
12 the city court or the marshal shall collect a fee for processing the payments in an
13 amount that is reasonably related to the expense incurred by the clerk or marshal in
14 processing the payment by credit card, not to exceed five twenty-five percent of the
15 amount of taxes and any penalties or interest being paid. The fee shall be in addition
16 to the amount of fines, forfeitures, penalties, or costs.
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 16RS-1263 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 659
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 659 Original 2016 Regular Session James
Abstract: Increases the maximum processing fee for payments by credit card the clerk of
the city court or the marshal or a private collection agency is authorized to collect on
all fines, forfeitures, penalties, and costs, from 5% to 25% of the amount of taxes and
any penalties or interest being paid.
Present law authorizes the clerk of the city court or the marshal or a private collection
agency as authorized by contract to collect all fines, forfeitures, penalties, and costs, and
provides that all funds so collected, excluding costs, shall be paid into the city treasury or
parish treasury, depending on whose behalf the money is being collected.
Present law authorizes the clerk of the city court or the marshal to accept payment by credit
card or electronic check for all fines, forfeitures, penalties, and costs, and authorizes the
collection of a processing fee not to exceed 5% of the amount of taxes and any penalties or
interest being paid.
Proposed law retains present law but increases the maximum processing fee from 5% to 25%
of the amount of taxes and any penalties or interest being paid.
(Amends R.S. 13:1898(C))
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.