Sec. 3.506. PROCESSING FEE BY HOLDER OF PAYMENT DEVICE. (a) For purposes of this section, "payment device" means any check, item, paper or electronic payment, or other payment device used as a medium for payment.
(b) On return of a payment device to the holder following dishonor of the payment device by a payor, the holder, the holder's assignee, agent, or representative, or any other person retained by the holder to seek collection of the face value of the dishonored payment device may charge the drawer or indorser a maximum processing fee of $30.
(c) A person may not charge a processing fee to a drawer or indorser under this section if a reimbursement fee has been collected under Article 102.007(e), Code of Criminal Procedure. If a processing fee has been collected under this section and the holder subsequently receives a reimbursement fee collected under Article 102.007(e), Code of Criminal Procedure, the holder shall immediately refund the fee previously collected from the drawer or indorser.
(d) Notwithstanding Subtitle B, Title 4, Finance Code, or any other law, a contract made under Subtitle B, Title 4, Finance Code, may provide that on return of a dishonored payment device given in payment under the contract, the holder may charge the obligor under the contract the processing fee authorized by this section, and the fee may be added to the unpaid balance owed under the contract. Interest may not be charged on the fee during the term of the contract.
(e) This section does not affect any right or remedy to which the holder of a payment device may be entitled under any rule, written contract, judicial decision, or other statute.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 2.001(a), eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 413, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 95 (S.B. 1563), Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 333 (H.B. 2793), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1352 (S.B. 346), Sec. 4.01, eff. January 1, 2020.