86R1319 PMO-F
By: Metcalf H.B. No. 1499
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to authorizing the comptroller to release a reported
owner's unclaimed property to the owner's crime victim in certain
circumstances.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 74.501, Property Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (e) and adding Subsection (g) to read as
follows:
(e) Except as provided by Subsections [Subsection] (f) and
(g), the comptroller may not pay to the following persons a claim to
which this section applies:
(1) a creditor, a judgment creditor, a lienholder, or
an assignee of the reported owner or of the owner's heirs; or
(2) a person holding a power of attorney from the
reported owner or the owner's heirs.
(g) The comptroller may approve a claim for unclaimed
property submitted by a claimant who was a victim of a criminal
offense for which the reported owner of the unclaimed property was
finally convicted if on the date the claim is submitted:
(1) the claimant is entitled to payment from the
reported owner under:
(A) a final judgment against the reported owner
related to that criminal offense; or
(B) a final order of restitution under Article
42.037, Code of Criminal Procedure, related to that criminal
offense; and
(2) the reported owner is incarcerated in federal
custody or the custody of this or any state based on any final
criminal conviction.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to a claim filed under Section 74.501, Property Code, on or after
the effective date of this Act. A claim filed under that section
before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in
effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that
law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.