87R7477 MEW-F
By: Guillen H.B. No. 3986
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to uncollectible fines, fees, and court costs in criminal
actions and proceedings.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Article 103.0081, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended to read as follows:
Art. 103.0081. UNCOLLECTIBLE FINES AND FEES. (a) Any
officer authorized by this chapter to collect a fine, fee, or item
of cost may request the trial court in which a criminal action or
proceeding was held to make a finding that a fine, fee, or item of
cost imposed in the action or proceeding is uncollectible if the
officer believes:
(1) the defendant is deceased;
(2) the defendant is serving a sentence for
imprisonment for life or life without parole; or
(3) the fine, fee, or item of cost has been unpaid for
at least 15 years.
(b) On a finding by a court that any condition described by
Subsections (a)(1)-(3) is true, the court may order the officer to
designate the fine, fee, or item of cost as uncollectible in the fee
record. The officer shall attach a copy of the court's order to the
fee record.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.