Bill Text: TX HB3403 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to court administration and costs; increasing certain court costs; authorizing fees.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-04-17 - Reported favorably as substituted [HB3403 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB3403-Introduced.html
  88R10930 AMF-F
 
  By: Orr H.B. No. 3403
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to court administration and costs; increasing certain
  court costs; authorizing fees.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 33.101, Estates Code, is amended to read
  as follows:
         Sec. 33.101.  TRANSFER TO OTHER COUNTY IN WHICH VENUE IS
  PROPER. If probate proceedings involving the same estate are
  commenced in more than one county and the court making a
  determination of venue as provided by Section 33.053 determines
  that venue is proper in another county, the court clerk shall
  transmit the file for the proceeding in accordance with the
  procedures provided by Section 33.105 [make and retain a copy of the
  entire file in the case and transmit the original file in electronic
  or paper form] to the court in the county in which venue is proper.
  The court to which the file is transmitted shall conduct the
  proceeding in the same manner as if the proceeding had originally
  been commenced in that county.
         SECTION 2.  Section 33.102(a), Estates Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  If it appears to the court at any time before the final
  order in a probate proceeding is rendered that the court does not
  have priority of venue over the proceeding, the court shall, on the
  application of an interested person, transfer the proceeding to the
  proper county by transmitting the file for the proceeding in
  accordance with the procedures provided by Section 33.105 to the
  proper court in that county [in electronic or paper form:
               [(1)  the original file in the case; and
               [(2)  certified copies of all entries that have been
  made in the judge's probate docket in the proceeding].
         SECTION 3.  Section 33.103(b), Estates Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (b)  The clerk of the court from which the probate proceeding
  described by Subsection (a) is transferred shall transmit the file
  for the proceeding in accordance with the procedures provided by
  Section 33.105 to the court to which the proceeding is
  transferred[:
               [(1) the original file in the proceeding; and
               [(2) a certified copy of the index].
         SECTION 4.  Subchapter C, Chapter 33, Estates Code, is
  amended by adding Section 33.105 to read as follows:
         Sec. 33.105.  TRANSFER OF PROBATE PROCEEDING RECORD. (a) If
  a probate proceeding is transferred to a court in another county
  under this chapter, the clerk of the transferring court shall send
  to the clerk of the court to which the proceeding is transferred,
  using the electronic filing system established under Section
  72.031, Government Code:
               (1)  a transfer certificate and index of transferred
  documents;
               (2)  a copy of each final order;
               (3)  a copy of the order of transfer signed by the
  transferring court;
               (4)  a copy of the original papers filed in the
  transferring court, including a copy of any will;
               (5)  a copy of the transfer certificate and index of
  transferred documents from each previous transfer; and
               (6)  a bill of any costs accrued in the transferring
  court.
         (b)  The clerk of the transferring court shall use the
  standardized transfer certificate and index of transferred
  documents form developed by the Office of Court Administration of
  the Texas Judicial System under Section 72.037, Government Code,
  when transferring a proceeding under this section.
         (c)  The clerk of the transferring court shall keep a copy of
  the documents transferred under Subsection (a).
         (d)  The clerk of the court to which the proceeding is
  transferred shall:
               (1)  accept documents transferred under Subsection
  (a);
               (2)  docket the proceeding; and
               (3)  notify, using the electronic filing system
  established under Section 72.031, Government Code, all parties to
  the proceeding, the clerk of the transferring court, and, if
  appropriate, the transferring court's local registry that the
  proceeding has been docketed.
         (e)  The clerk of the transferee court shall physically or
  electronically mark or stamp the transfer certificate and index of
  transferred documents to evidence the date and time of acceptance
  under Subsection (d) but may not physically or electronically mark
  or stamp any other document transferred under Subsection (a).
         (f)  The clerks of both the transferee and transferring
  courts may each produce under Chapter 51, Government Code,
  certified or uncertified copies of documents transferred under
  Subsection (a) but must include a copy of the transfer certificate
  and index of transferred documents with each document produced.
         (g)  Sections 80.001 and 80.002, Government Code, do not
  apply to the transfer of documents under this section.
         SECTION 5.  Section 1023.006, Estates Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 1023.006.  TRANSFER OF RECORD. (a) Not later than the
  10th working day after the date [When] an order of transfer is
  signed [made] under Section 1023.005, the clerk shall record any
  unrecorded papers of the guardianship required to be recorded. On
  payment of the clerk's fee, the clerk shall send, using the
  electronic filing system established under Section 72.031,
  Government Code, [transmit in electronic or paper form] to the
  county clerk of the county to which the guardianship was ordered
  transferred:
               (1)  a transfer certificate and index of transferred
  documents [the case file of the guardianship proceedings]; [and]
               (2)  a copy of each final order;
               (3)  a copy of the order of transfer signed by the
  transferring court;
               (4)  a copy of the original papers filed in the
  transferring court;
               (5)  a copy of the transfer certificate and index of
  transferred documents from each previous transfer; and
               (6)  a bill of any costs accrued in the transferring
  court [a certified copy of the index of the guardianship records].
         (b)  The clerk of the transferring court shall use the
  standardized transfer certificate and index of transferred
  documents form developed by the Office of Court Administration of
  the Texas Judicial System under Section 72.037, Government Code,
  when transferring a proceeding under this section.
         (c)  The clerk of the transferring court shall keep a copy of
  the documents transferred under Subsection (a).
         (d)  The clerk of the court to which the proceeding is
  transferred shall:
               (1)  accept documents transferred under Subsection
  (a);
               (2)  docket the suit; and
               (3)  notify, using the electronic filing system
  established under Section 72.031, Government Code, all parties, the
  clerk of the transferring court, and, if appropriate, the
  transferring court's local registry that the suit has been
  docketed.
         (e)  The clerk of the transferee court shall physically or
  electronically mark or stamp the transfer certificate and index of
  transferred documents to evidence the date and time of acceptance
  under Subsection (d), but may not physically or electronically mark
  or stamp any other document transferred under Subsection (a).
         (f)  The clerk of the transferring court shall send a
  certified copy of the order directing payments to the transferee
  court to:
               (1)  any party affected by the order and, if
  appropriate, to the local registry of the transferee court using
  the electronic filing system established under Section 72.031,
  Government Code; and
               (2)  an employer affected by the order electronically
  or by first class mail.
         (g)  The clerks of both the transferee and transferring
  courts may each produce under Chapter 51, Government Code,
  certified or uncertified copies of documents transferred under
  Subsection (a) but must include a copy of the transfer certificate
  and index of transferred documents with each document produced.
         (h)  Sections 80.001 and 80.002, Government Code, do not
  apply to the transfer of documents under this section.
         SECTION 6.  Section 1023.007, Estates Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 1023.007.  TRANSFER EFFECTIVE. The order transferring
  a guardianship does not take effect until the clerk of the court to
  which the proceeding is transferred accepts and dockets the case
  record under Section 1023.006[:
               [(1)  the case file and a certified copy of the index
  required by Section 1023.006 are filed in electronic or paper form
  in the office of the county clerk of the county to which the
  guardianship was ordered transferred; and
               [(2)  a certificate under the clerk's official seal and
  reporting the filing of the case file and a certified copy of the
  index is filed in electronic or paper form in the court ordering the
  transfer by the county clerk of the county to which the guardianship
  was ordered transferred].
         SECTION 7.  Section 110.002, Family Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d) to read as
  follows:
         (a)  The clerk of the court may collect a filing fee of $80
  [$15] in a suit for filing:
               (1)  a suit or motion for modification;
               (2)  a motion for enforcement;
               (3)  a notice of application for judicial writ of
  withholding;
               (4)  [a motion to transfer;
               [(5)]  a petition for license suspension;
               (5) [(6)]  a motion to revoke a stay of license
  suspension; or
               (6) [(7)]  a motion for contempt.
         (d)  Fees collected under this section are to be remitted and
  allocated as provided by Chapter 135, Local Government Code.
         SECTION 8.  Section 110.005(a), Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  The fee for filing a transferred case is $80 [$45]
  payable to the clerk of the court to which the case is transferred.
  Fees collected under this section are to be remitted and allocated
  as provided by Chapters 133 and 135, Local Government Code, as
  applicable [No portion of this fee may be sent to the state].
         SECTION 9.  Sections 155.207(a), (b), and (e), Family Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Not later than the 10th working day after the date an
  order of transfer is signed, the clerk of the court transferring a
  proceeding shall send, using the electronic filing system
  established under Section 72.031, Government Code, to the proper
  court [in the county] to which transfer is being made:
               (1)  a transfer certificate and index of transferred
  documents;
               (2)  a copy of each final order;
               (3)  a copy of the order of transfer signed by the
  transferring court;
               (4)  a copy of the original papers filed in the
  transferring court;
               (5)  a copy of the transfer certificate and index of
  transferred documents from each previous transfer; and
               (6)  a bill of any costs that have accrued in the
  transferring court.
         (b)  The clerk of the transferring court shall keep a copy of
  the documents transferred under Subsection (a) [transferred
  pleadings].
         (e)  The clerks of both the transferee and transferring
  courts may each produce under Chapter 51, Government Code,
  certified or uncertified copies of documents transferred under
  Subsection (a) and must [filed in a case transferred under this
  section, but shall also] include a copy of the transfer certificate
  and index of transferred documents with each document produced.
         SECTION 10.  Section 51.3071, Government Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (f) and (g) to read
  as follows:
         (a)  If a case is transferred from a district court to a
  constitutional or statutory county court or another district court,
  the clerk of the transferring [district] court shall send to the
  [county] clerk of the court to which the case is transferred, using
  the electronic filing system established under Section 72.031:
               (1)  a transfer certificate and index of transferred
  documents;
               (2)  a copy of the original papers filed in the
  transferring court;
               (3)  a copy of the order of transfer signed by the
  transferring court;
               (4)  a copy of each final order;
               (5)  a copy of the transfer certificate and index of
  transferred documents from each previous transfer; and
               (6)  a bill of any costs that have accrued in the
  transferring court.
         (f)  The clerks of both the transferee and transferring
  courts may each produce, under this chapter, certified or
  uncertified copies of documents transferred under Subsection (a)
  and must include a copy of the transfer certificate and index of
  transferred documents with each document produced.
         (g)  This section applies regardless of whether the
  transferee court and the transferring court are in the same or
  different counties.
         SECTION 11.  Section 51.318(b), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  The fees are:
               (1)  for issuing a subpoena, including one copy$8;
               (2)  for issuing a citation, commission for deposition,
  writ of execution, order of sale, writ of execution and order of
  sale, writ of injunction, writ of garnishment, writ of attachment,
  or writ of sequestration, or any other writ or process not otherwise
  provided for, including one copy if required by law$8;
               (3)  for searching files or records to locate a cause
  when the docket number is not provided or to ascertain the existence
  of an instrument or record in the district clerk's office$5;
               (4)  for abstracting a judgment$8;
               (5)  for preparation of the clerk's record on appeal,
  for each page or part of a page$1;
               (6)  for approving a bond$5;
               (7)  for a certified copy of a record, judgment, order,
  pleading, or paper on file or of record in the district clerk's
  office[, printed on paper]:
                     (A)  including certificate and seal$5; and
                     (B)  for each page or part of a page:
                           (i)  printed on paper$1;
                           (ii)  that is a paper document converted to
  electronic format$1; or
                           (iii)  that is an electronic copy of an
  electronic document:
                                 (a)  for a document up to 10 pages in
  length$1; and
                                 (b)  for each page or part of a page
  over 10 pages$0.10;
               (8)  for a noncertified copy:
                     (A)  printed on paper, for each page or part of a
  page$1;
                     (B)  that is a paper document converted to
  electronic format, for each page or part of a page$1; or
                     (C)  that is an electronic copy of an electronic
  document:
                           (i)  for each document up to 10 pages in
  length$1; and
                           (ii)  for each page or part of a page over 10
  pages$0.10;
               (9)  for preparation of the clerk's record of transfer
  under Sections 33.105 and 1023.006, Estates Code, Section 155.207,
  Family Code, and Sections 51.3071 and 51.403 of this code:
                     (A)  for the clerk's transfer certificate and
  index$5;
                     (B)  for each page or part of a page of a case
  record up to 10 pages in length$1.00; and
                     (C)  for each page or part of a page of a case
  record over 10 pages$0.10.
         SECTION 12.  Section 51.403, Government Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (d) and (e) to read
  as follows:
         (a)  If a case is transferred from a county court to a
  district court or a statutory county court or a county court of
  another county, the clerk of the transferring [county] court shall
  send to the [district] clerk of the court to which the case is
  transferred, using the electronic filing system established under
  Section 72.031:
               (1)  a transfer certificate and index of transferred
  documents;
               (2)  a copy of the original papers filed in the
  transferring court;
               (3)  a copy of the order of transfer signed by the
  transferring court;
               (4)  a copy of each final order;
               (5)  a copy of the transfer certificate and index of
  transferred documents from each previous transfer; and
               (6)  a bill of any costs that have accrued in the
  transferring court.
         (d)  The clerks of both the transferee and transferring
  courts may each produce, under this chapter, certified or
  uncertified copies of documents transferred under Subsection (a)
  and must include a copy of the transfer certificate and index of
  transferred documents with each document produced.
         (e)  This section applies regardless of whether the
  transferee court and the transferring court are in the same or
  different counties.
         SECTION 13.  Section 72.037(a), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  The office shall develop and make available a
  standardized transfer certificate and an index of transferred
  documents form to be used for the transfer of cases and proceedings
  under Sections 33.105 and 1023.006, Estates Code, Section 155.207,
  Family Code, and Sections 51.3071 and 51.403 of this code.
         SECTION 14.  Section 118.011(a), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A county clerk shall collect the following fees for
  services rendered to any person:
               (1)  Personal Property Records Filing (Sec. 118.012):
                     (A)  for the first page$ 5.00;
                     (B)  for each additional page or part of a page on
  which there are visible marks of any kind$ 4.00;
               (2)  Real Property Records Filing (Sec. 118.013):
                     (A)  for the first page$ 5.00;
                     (B)  for each additional page or part of a page on
  which there are visible marks of any kind$ 4.00;
                     (C)  for all or part of  each 8-1/2" X
  14"  attachment  or  rider$ 4.00;
                     (D)  for each name in excess of five names that has
  to be indexed in all records in which the document must be
  indexed$ 0.25;
               (3)  Certified Papers (Sec. 118.014):
                     (A)  for the clerk's certificate$ 5.00;
                     (B)  printed on paper, plus a fee for each page or
  part of a page$ 1.00;
                     (C)  that is a paper document converted to
  electronic format, for each page or part of a page$1;
                     (D)  that is an electronic copy of an electronic
  document:
                           (i)  for each document up to 10 pages in
  length$1;
                           (ii)  for each page or part of a page of a
  document over 10 pages$0.10;
               (4)  Noncertified Papers (Sec. 118.0145):
                     (A)  printed on paper, for each page or part of a
  page$ 1.00;
                     (B)  that is a paper document converted to
  electronic format, for each page or part of a page$1;
                     (C)  that is an electronic copy of an electronic
  document:
                           (i)  for each document up to 10 pages in
  length$1;
                           (ii)  for each page or part of a page of a
  document over 10 pages$0.10;
               (5)  Birth  or  Death  Certificate (Sec.
  118.015)same as state registrar;
               (6)  Bond Approval (Sec. 118.016)$ 3.00;
               (7)  Marriage License (Sec. 118.018)$60.00;
               (8)  Declaration of Informal Marriage (Sec.
  118.019)$25.00;
               (9)  Brand Registration (Sec. 118.020)$ 5.00;
               (10)  Oath Administration (Sec. 118.021)$ 1.00.
         SECTION 15.  Section 118.052, Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 118.052.  FEE SCHEDULE.  Each clerk of a county court
  shall collect the following fees for services rendered to any
  person:
               (1)  CIVIL COURT ACTIONS
                     (A)  Preparation of the clerk's record of transfer
  under Sections 33.105 and 1023.006, Estates Code, Section 155.207,
  Family Code, and Sections 51.3071 and 51.403, Government Code:
                           (i)  for the clerk's transfer certificate
  and index . . . . . . $5; and
                           (ii)  for each page or part of a page of a
  case record up to 10 pages in length . . . . . . $1.00; 
                           (iii)  for each page or part of a page of a
  case record over 10 pages . . . . . . $0.10; [Filing
  of  Garnishment after judgment . . . $15.00]
                     (B)  Services Rendered After Judgment in Original
  Action (Sec. 118.0545):
                           (i)  Abstract of judgment . . . $ 8.00;
                           (ii)  Execution, order of sale, writ, or
  other process . . . $ 8.00;
               (2)  PROBATE COURT ACTIONS
                     (A)  Services in Pending Probate Action (Sec.
  118.056):
                           (i)  Filing an inventory and appraisement as
  provided by Section 118.056(d) . . . $25.00;
                           (ii)  Approving and recording bond . . .
  $ 5.00;
                           (iii)  Administering oath . . . $ 2.00;
                           (iv)  Filing annual or final account of
  estate . . . $25.00;
                           (v)  Filing application for sale of real or
  personal property . . . $25.00;
                           (vi)  Filing annual or final report of
  guardian of a person . . . $10.00;
                           (vii)  Filing a document not listed under
  this paragraph after the filing of an order approving the inventory
  and appraisement or after the 120th day after the date of the
  initial filing of the action, whichever occurs first, if more than
  25 pages . . . $25.00;
                     (B)  Claim Against Estate (Sec. 118.058) . . .
  $10.00;
                     (C)  Preparation of the clerk's record of transfer
  under Sections 33.105 and 1023.006, Estates Code, Section 155.207,
  Family Code, and Sections 51.3071 and 51.403, Government Code:
                           (i)  for the clerk's transfer certificate
  and index . . . . . . $5; 
                           (ii)  for each page or part of a page of a
  case record up to 10 pages in length . . . . . . $1.00; 
                           (iii)  for each page or part of a page of a
  case record over 10 pages . . . . . . $0.10;
               (3)  OTHER FEES
                     (A)  Issuing Document (Sec. 118.059):
                           (i)  original document and one copy . . .
  $ 8.00;
                           (ii) each additional set of an original and
  one copy . . . $ 8.00;
                     (B)  Certified Papers (Sec. 118.060):
                           (i)  for the clerk's certificate . . .
  $ 5.00;
                           (ii)  printed on paper, plus a fee per page
  or part of a page of . . . $ 1.00; 
                           (iii)  that is a paper document converted to
  electronic format, for each page or part of a page . . . . . . $1;
                           (iv)  that is an electronic copy of an
  electronic document:
                                 (a)  for each document up to 10 pages
  in length . . . . . . $1;
                                 (b)  for each page or part of a page of
  a document over 10 pages . . . . . . $0.10;
                     (C)  Noncertified Papers (Sec. 118.0605):
                           (i)  printed on paper, for each page or part
  of a page . . . $ 1.00;
                           (ii)  that is a paper converted to
  electronic format, for each page or part of a page . . . $ 1.00; 
                           (iii)  that is an electronic copy of an
  electronic document:
                                 (a) [(i)]  for each document up to 10
  pages in length . . . $ 1.00; [and]
                                 (b) [(ii)]  for each page or part of a
  page of a document over 10 pages . . . $ 0.10;
                     (D)  Letters Testamentary, Letter of
  Guardianship, Letter of Administration, or Abstract of Judgment
  (Sec. 118.061) . . . $ 2.00;
                     (E)  Deposit and Safekeeping of Wills (Sec.
  118.062) . . . $ 5.00;
                     (F)  Mail Service of Process (Sec. 118.063) . . .
  same as sheriff;
                     (G)  Searching files or records to locate a cause
  when the docket number is not provided . . . $ 5.00;
                     (H)  Records Technology and Infrastructure Fee if
  authorized by the commissioners court of the county (Sec. 118.026)
  . . . $ 2.00;
                     (I)  Preparation of the clerk's record for appeal,
  per page or part of a page . . . $1.00.
         SECTION 16.  Section 118.131(a), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The commissioners court of a county may set reasonable
  fees to be charged for service of process, including service of
  writs, [services] by the offices of the sheriff and constables.
         SECTION 17.  Sections 133.151(a) and (a-1), Local Government
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The clerk of a district court, statutory county court,
  statutory probate court, or county court shall collect:
               (1)  a fee in the amount of $137 on the filing of any
  civil, probate, guardianship, or mental health case; and
               (2)  a fee in the amount of $45 on any action other than
  an original action subject to Subdivision (1), including [an appeal
  and] any counterclaim, cross-action, intervention, contempt
  action, adverse probate action, interpleader, motion for new trial,
  motion to reinstate, or third-party action.
         (a-1)  The clerk of a justice court shall collect a fee in the
  amount of $21 on the filing of any civil case and on any action other
  than an original action for the civil case, including an appeal and
  any counterclaim, cross-action, intervention, contempt action,
  interpleader, motion for new trial, motion to reinstate, or
  third-party action.
         SECTION 18.  Section 134.101(b), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The treasurer shall allocate the court costs received
  under this section to the following accounts and funds so that each
  receives to the extent practicable, utilizing historical data as
  applicable, the same amount of money the account or fund would have
  received if the court costs for the accounts and funds had been
  collected and reported separately, except that the account or fund
  may not receive less than the following percentages:
               (1)  the clerk of the court account38.0953 percent;
               (2)  the clerks [county] records management and
  preservation fund23.8095 percent;
               (3)  the county jury fund0.9524 percent;
               (4)  the courthouse security fund9.5238 percent;
               (5)  the county and district court technology
  fund3.8095 percent; and
               (6)  the county specialty court account23.8095
  percent.
         SECTION 19.  Section 134.102(b), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The treasurer shall allocate the court costs received
  under this section to the following accounts and funds so that each
  receives to the extent practicable, utilizing historical data as
  applicable, the same amount of money the account or fund would have
  received if the court costs for the accounts and funds had been
  collected and reported separately, except that the account or fund
  may not receive less than the following percentages:
               (1)  the clerk of the court account32.5203 percent;
               (2)  the clerks [county] records management and
  preservation fund20.3252 percent;
               (3)  the    account      for     prosecutor's
  fees16.2602 percent;
               (4)  the county jury fund0.8130 percent;
               (5)  the courthouse security fund8.1301 percent;
               (6)  the county and district court technology
  fund3.2520 percent;
               (7)  the court reporter service fund2.4390percent; and
               (8)  the county specialty court account16.2602
  percent.
         SECTION 20.  Section 134.155, Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 134.155.  CLERKS [COUNTY] RECORDS MANAGEMENT AND
  PRESERVATION FUND. Money allocated under Section 134.101 or
  134.102 to the clerks [county] records management and preservation
  fund maintained in the county treasury as required by Section
  134.151 may be used by a clerk [county] only to fund records
  management and preservation services performed by the [court] clerk
  who collects the fee.
         SECTION 21.  Section 135.101, Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 135.101.  LOCAL CONSOLIDATED CIVIL FEE FOR CERTAIN
  CIVIL CASES IN DISTRICT COURT, STATUTORY COUNTY COURT, OR COUNTY
  COURT. (a) A person shall pay in a district court, statutory
  county court, or county court in addition to all other fees and
  court costs a local consolidated filing fee of:
               (1)  $213 on filing any civil case except a probate,
  guardianship, or mental health case; and
               (2)  $35 on any action other than an original action for
  a case subject to Subdivision (1), including an appeal and any
  counterclaim, cross-action, intervention, contempt action,
  interpleader, motion for new trial, motion to reinstate, or
  third-party action.
         (b)  The county treasurer shall allocate the fees received
  under Subsection (a)(1) to the following accounts and funds so that
  each receives to the extent practicable, utilizing historical data
  as applicable, the same amount of money the account or fund would
  have received if the fees for the accounts and funds had been
  collected and reported separately, except that the account or fund
  may not receive less than the following percentages:
               (1)  the      appellate     judicial     system
  fund2.3474 percent;
               (2)  the court facility fee fund9.3897 percent;
               (3)  the clerk of the court account23.4742 percent;
               (4)  the clerks [county] records management and
  preservation account14.0845 percent;
               (5)  the     court      reporter      service
  fund11.7371 percent;
               (6)  the county law library fund16.4319 percent;
               (7)  the courthouse security fund9.3897 percent;
               (8)  the language access fund1.4085 percent;
               (9)  the county jury fund4.6948 percent; and
               (10)  the county dispute resolution fund7.0423
  percent.
         (c)  The county treasurer shall allocate the fees received
  under Subsection (a)(2) to the following accounts and funds so that
  each receives to the extent practicable, utilizing historical data
  as applicable, the same amount of money the account or fund would
  have received if the fees for the accounts and funds had been
  collected and reported separately, except that the account or fund
  may not receive less than the following percentages:
               (1)  the   clerk   of   the  court
  account42.8571 percent; and
               (2)  the clerks [county] records management and
  preservation account57.1429 percent.
         SECTION 22.  Sections 135.102(b) and (c), Local Government
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The county treasurer shall allocate the fees received
  under Subsection (a)(1) to the following accounts and funds so that
  each receives to the extent practicable, utilizing historical data
  as applicable, the same amount of money the account or fund would
  have received if the fees for the accounts and funds had been
  collected and reported separately, except that the account or fund
  may not receive less than the following percentages:
               (1)  the  appellate  judicial   system
  fund2.2422 percent;
               (2)  the court facility fee fund8.9686 percent;
               (3)  the clerk of the court account17.9372 percent;
               (4)  the clerks [county] records management and
  preservation account6.7265 percent;
               (5)  the  court  reporter  service  
  fund11.2108 percent;
               (6)  the county law library fund15.6951 percent;
               (7)  the courthouse security fund8.9686 percent;
               (8)  the language access fund1.3453 percent;
               (9)  the county jury fund4.4841 percent;
               (10)  the county dispute resolution fund6.7265
  percent;
               (11)  the court-initiated guardianship fund8.9686
  percent;
               (12)  the judicial education and support fund2.2422
  percent; and
               (13)  the public probate administrator fund4.4843
  percent.
         (c)  The county treasurer shall allocate the fees received
  under Subsection (a)(2) to the following accounts and funds so that
  each receives to the extent practicable, utilizing historical data
  as applicable, the same amount of money the account or fund would
  have received if the fees for the accounts and funds had been
  collected and reported separately, except that the account or fund
  may not receive less than the following percentages:
               (1)  the clerk of the court account53.3333 percent;
               (2)  the clerks [county] records management and
  preservation account6.6667 percent;
               (3)  the court-initiated guardianship fund26.6667
  percent; and
               (4)  the public probate administrator fund13.3333
  percent.
         SECTION 23.  Section 135.103(a), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  In addition to all other fees and court costs, a person
  shall pay a local consolidated filing fee of $33 on filing of any
  civil case in a justice court and on any action other than an
  original action for a civil case, including an appeal and any
  counterclaim, cross-action, intervention, contempt action,
  interpleader, motion for new trial, motion to reinstate, or
  third-party action.
         SECTION 24.  Section 135.154, Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 135.154.  CLERKS [COUNTY] RECORDS MANAGEMENT AND
  PRESERVATION ACCOUNT. Money allocated under Section 135.101 or
  135.102 to the clerks [county] records management and preservation
  account maintained in the county treasury as required by Section
  135.151 may be used by a clerk [county] only to fund records
  management and preservation services, including automation,
  performed by the [court] clerk who collects the fee on approval by
  the commissioners court of a budget as provided by Chapter 111.  An
  expenditure from the fund must comply with Subchapter C, Chapter
  262.
         SECTION 25.  (a) Effective September 1, 2023, Section
  33.103(c), Estates Code, is repealed.
         (b)  Effective January 1, 2024, Section 291.008, Local
  Government Code, is repealed.
         SECTION 26.  As soon as practicable after January 1, 2024,
  the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System
  shall develop and make available all forms and materials required
  by Section 72.037, Government Code, as amended by this Act.
         SECTION 27.  (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this
  section or as otherwise provided by this Act, this Act takes effect
  January 1, 2024.
         (b)  The following provisions take effect September 1, 2023:
               (1)  Sections 33.101, 33.102(a), 33.103(b), 1023.006,
  and 1023.007, Estates Code, as amended by this Act;
               (2)  Section 33.105, Estates Code, as added by this
  Act;
               (3)  Sections 155.207(a), (b), and (e), Family Code, as
  amended by this Act; and
               (4)  Sections 51.3071 and 51.403, Government Code, as
  amended by this Act.
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