Enrolled Bill Summary

            Senate Bill 1718 amends provisions of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code relating to alternative dispute resolution (ADR) systems established by counties. The act expands the instances in which cases may be referred to a county's ADR system to include those referred directly on the motion of a judge.

            Under existing law, county commissioners courts may dedicate court costs assessed in certain cases for the funding of ADR systems. Senate Bill 1718 expands the types of cases in which such costs may be assessed to include civil probate cases and excludes suits for delinquent taxes, condemnation proceedings under eminent domain, and certain proceedings under the Texas Mental Health Code. The act allows the commissioners court of a county with a population of 2.5 million or more to set an additional court cost of up to $3 for civil cases filed in justice courts to establish and maintain an ADR system.