HBA-JEK S.B. 201 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 201
By: Carona
County Affairs
4/8/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Internet has become a convenient tool for conducting personal and
business transactions.  Current law authorizes a county tax
assessor-collector to accept payment by credit card or electronic means for
certain taxes and fees.  Senate Bill 201 authorizes a municipality or
county to establish a process to collect certain taxes, fines, fees, and
court costs through the Internet. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 201 amends the Local Government Code to authorize a county or
municipality to provide access to information or the collection of payment
for taxes, fines, fees, court costs, and other charges through the
Internet.  The bill authorizes a county or municipality to contract with a
vendor to perform any of these services.  The bill provides that a vendor
must promptly remit all credit card or electronic payments received to the
county or municipality. 

S.B. 201 authorizes a county, municipality, or vendor collecting credit
card or electronic payments to charge a reasonable fee that is approved by
the county or municipality.  The bill authorizes a county or municipality
that provides access to information through the Internet to charge a fee
only to recover the costs directly and reasonably incurred in providing the
access and only if the governing body of the county or municipality
determines that providing access to the information through the Internet
would not be feasible without the imposition of the charge.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.