Texas House Bill HB2726

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to the authority of a county clerk to charge a reasonable fee for services for which a fee is not otherwise prescribed.

Impact

The immediate impact of HB2726 is on the operations of county clerks throughout Texas. By allowing these clerks to establish a fee for certain services, the bill aims to ensure that local governments can maintain their operations more effectively and recoup costs related to administrative functions. This change is particularly significant given that some clerical duties may entail considerable time and resources without direct compensation under existing statutes.

Summary

House Bill 2726 aims to amend the Local Government Code in Texas to grant county clerks the authority to charge a reasonable fee for services where a fee is not otherwise prescribed. This change seeks to provide more financial flexibility for county clerks in managing their operations and ensuring they can cover the costs associated with various responsibilities. The proposed fee is set at ten dollars for performing duties mandated by statute that currently do not carry a specified fee. Such provisions are intended to enhance the financial viability of these local offices.

Contention

Noteworthy points of contention surrounding HB2726 may arise regarding the definition of 'reasonable fee' and whether the proposed charge aligns with the financial capacity of the constituents being served. Critics of such legislation may argue that introducing fees could burden citizens seeking necessary services from county offices. Additionally, there could be concerns about the transparency and accountability of how these fees are applied and managed by the clerks, as well as potential disparities between counties that may have different capacities to impose such charges.