Texas House Bill HB4660

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 5/11/09
• Voted on by House: 5/18/09

Caption

Relating to the use of interest generated by certain escrow accounts maintained in the depository of certain counties.

Impact

This legislation has significant implications for local county operations, notably regarding financial management. By allowing tax collectors to retain interest from escrow accounts specifically for their office's operational expenses, the bill provides a direct source of funding that may enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of county tax collection processes. It grants county collectors greater financial autonomy and aims to optimize resources without relying on external funding sources.

Summary

House Bill 4660 amends Section 23.122 of the Texas Tax Code to address the retention of interest generated by escrow accounts maintained in county depositories. The bill clarifies that the interest generated from these escrow accounts is considered the sole property of the county tax collector. Moreover, it stipulates that this interest can only be used by the tax collector to support their operational costs, ensuring that the generated funds are not diverted to other entities or used to impact the collector's annual appropriation.

Contention

Although the bill is primarily focused on operational funding for tax collectors, it may raise questions about financial transparency and accountability in the management of public funds. Critics could argue that retaining interest solely for the tax collector's office may create a lack of checks and balances in the usage of public funds. Additionally, there may be concerns regarding the impact this policy could have on how these funds are reported and utilized, prompting a discussion on ethical financial practices within county governments.