BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 3778 By: Koop Ways & Means Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, interested parties note, a county may only engage law enforcement agencies for the collection of dishonored checks and credit card invoices received by the county tax assessor-collector. The parties suggest that counties should have the option to engage the services of a private collection agency for such collection. H.B. 3778 seeks to provide that option. CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS H.B. 3778 amends the Local Government Code to expand the procedures a county tax assessor-collector may establish for the collection of dishonored checks and credit card invoices to include the referral of a dishonored check or credit card invoice to a private collection agency. The bill authorizes a private collection agency to which the county tax assessor-collector refers a dishonored check or credit card invoice to charge a fee to the person responsible for the check or invoice in an amount equal to any amount authorized for a returned check under the fee schedule established for a county clerk for the collection of fees other than court fees. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.
BILL ANALYSIS
# BILL ANALYSIS
H.B. 3778
By: Koop
Ways & Means
Committee Report (Unamended)
H.B. 3778
By: Koop
Ways & Means
Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, interested parties note, a county may only engage law enforcement agencies for the collection of dishonored checks and credit card invoices received by the county tax assessor-collector. The parties suggest that counties should have the option to engage the services of a private collection agency for such collection. H.B. 3778 seeks to provide that option.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS H.B. 3778 amends the Local Government Code to expand the procedures a county tax assessor-collector may establish for the collection of dishonored checks and credit card invoices to include the referral of a dishonored check or credit card invoice to a private collection agency. The bill authorizes a private collection agency to which the county tax assessor-collector refers a dishonored check or credit card invoice to charge a fee to the person responsible for the check or invoice in an amount equal to any amount authorized for a returned check under the fee schedule established for a county clerk for the collection of fees other than court fees.
EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Currently, interested parties note, a county may only engage law enforcement agencies for the collection of dishonored checks and credit card invoices received by the county tax assessor-collector. The parties suggest that counties should have the option to engage the services of a private collection agency for such collection. H.B. 3778 seeks to provide that option.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
H.B. 3778 amends the Local Government Code to expand the procedures a county tax assessor-collector may establish for the collection of dishonored checks and credit card invoices to include the referral of a dishonored check or credit card invoice to a private collection agency. The bill authorizes a private collection agency to which the county tax assessor-collector refers a dishonored check or credit card invoice to charge a fee to the person responsible for the check or invoice in an amount equal to any amount authorized for a returned check under the fee schedule established for a county clerk for the collection of fees other than court fees.
EFFECTIVE DATE
On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.