Texas 2013 83rd Regular

Texas House Bill HB2902 Comm Sub / Bill

                    83R9234 NC-D
 By: Thompson of Brazoria, et al. H.B. No. 2902


 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 AN ACT
 relating to lost, damaged, or overdue county library property;
 authorizing fines; authorizing a civil penalty.
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 SECTION 1.  Chapter 323, Local Government Code, is amended
 by adding Subchapter D to read as follows:
 SUBCHAPTER D. LIBRARY FINES; CIVIL PENALTY
 Sec. 323.071.  LIBRARY FINES. (a)  The commissioners court
 by order may establish reasonable fines to be collected by a county
 library for lost, damaged, or overdue library property.
 (b)  The fines shall be deposited in the county free library
 fund.
 Sec. 323.072.  ABUSE OF COUNTY LIBRARY SERVICES. (a)  The
 commissioners court by order may adopt reasonable regulations that
 prohibit a person from abusing library services by intentionally
 failing to pay a library fine or return library property.
 (b)  A person who violates a regulation adopted by the county
 under this section is liable to the county for a civil penalty of
 not more than $100 for each violation. A county may bring suit in a
 district or county court to recover a civil penalty authorized by
 this subsection.
 SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.