Bill Text: TX HB121 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to an alternative means of payment of certain past due criminal fines and court costs.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2015-06-15 - Effective immediately [HB121 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HB121-Introduced.html

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84R1970 ADM-F
By: Fletcher H.B. No. 121

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an alternative means of payment of certain criminal
fines and court costs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Chapter 103, Code of Criminal
Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 103. PAYMENT, COLLECTION, AND RECORDKEEPING
SECTION 2. Chapter 103, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended by adding Article 103.0025 to read as follows:
Art. 103.0025. ALTERNATIVE PAYMENT PROCEDURE FOR CERTAIN
FINES AND COSTS. (a) This article applies only to payment of:
(1) a fine and court costs associated with the alleged
commission of a Class C misdemeanor by a defendant; and
(2) a judgment for fines and court costs of a defendant
convicted of any offense, if a capias pro fine has been issued in
the case.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the court
may adopt an alternative procedure for collecting an outstanding
payment described by Subsection (a). Under the procedure, a peace
officer making an arrest of a defendant:
(1) shall inform the defendant of:
(A) the possibility of making an immediate
payment of the fine and related court costs by use of a credit or
debit card; and
(B) the defendant's available alternatives to
making an immediate payment; and
(2) may accept, on behalf of the court, the defendant's
immediate payment of the fine and related court costs by use of a
credit or debit card, after which the peace officer must release the
defendant.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2015.