87R16593 MEW-F
By: Guillen H.B. No. 3986
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the collection of fines, fees, and court costs in
criminal actions and proceedings.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Article 103.003, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
(a-1) The clerk of a municipal court may collect money
payable to the municipal court under this title.
SECTION 2. 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 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.