HB 785

ON MARCH 31, 2025, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1237, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill to, instead, make the following revisions to present law:  Requires, beginning October 25, 2025, every professional bondsman licensed to do business in this state to file a quarterly report, not later than January 25, April 25, July 25, and October 25 of each year, with the department of revenue detailing the total number of bonds issued by the bondsman in the preceding quarter, the number of bonds issued in each county in which the bondsman operated, and the total amount of the bondsman's liability in each county.  Requires, beginning October 25, 2025, each clerk of a court that admits defendants to bail to file a quarterly report, not later than January 25, April 25, July 25, and October 25 of each year, with the department of revenue detailing the total number of bonds accepted by the clerk from bondsmen and the total amount of the bonds accepted from bondsmen in the preceding quarter.  Authorizes the department of revenue to use the reports received from the bondsmen and court clerks to complete audits on the bail bonding tax. ON APRIL 15, 2025, THE HOUSE SUBSTITUTED SENATE BILL 1237 FOR HOUSE BILL 785, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1, AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1237, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 clarifies that the failure to submit a report required by the bill is not a criminal offense.