78R7089 QS-D

By:  Flores                                                       H.B. No. 1509



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the jurisdiction of and filing fees in certain courts.            
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Sections 26.042(a) and (d), Government Code, are 
amended to read as follows:
	(a)  A county court has concurrent jurisdiction with the 
justice courts in civil cases in which the matter in controversy 
exceeds $200 in value but does not exceed $10,000 [$5,000], 
exclusive of interest.
	(d)  A county court has concurrent jurisdiction with the 
district court in civil cases in which the matter in controversy 
exceeds $500 but does not exceed $10,000 [$5,000], exclusive of 
interest.
	SECTION 2.  Section 27.031(a), Government Code, is amended 
to read as follows:
	(a)  In addition to the jurisdiction and powers provided by 
the constitution and other law, the justice court has original 
jurisdiction of:
		(1)  civil matters in which exclusive jurisdiction is 
not in the district or county court and in which the amount in 
controversy is not more than $10,000 [$5,000], exclusive of 
interest, attorney's fees, and costs;
		(2)  cases of forcible entry and detainer; and                                
		(3)  foreclosure of mortgages and enforcement of liens 
on personal property in cases in which the amount in controversy is 
otherwise within the justice court's jurisdiction.
	SECTION 3.  Section 118.121, Local Government Code, is 
amended  to read as follows:
	Sec. 118.121.  FEE SCHEDULE.  A justice of the peace shall 
collect the following fees for services rendered to any person:
		(1)  Services rendered before judgment (Sec. 118.122):                        
			(A)  Justice court, if the amount in controversy 
is $5,000 or less$15.00
			(B)  Small claims court                    $10.00                            
			(C)  Justice court, if the amount in controversy 
is more than $5,000$50.00
		(2)  Services rendered after judgment (Sec. 118.123):                         
			(A)  Transcript                            $10.00                            
			(B)  Abstract of judgment                   $5.00                            
			(C)  Execution, order of sale, writ of 
restitution, or  other   writ  or  
process $5.00 per page
				Certified copy of court papers         $2.00 for                            
                                                                      first page
                                                  $0.25 for each additional page
				Issuing other document (no return 
required)$1.00 for first page           
                                                  $0.25 for each additional page
	SECTION 4.  The change in law made by this Act applies only 
to actions filed on or after the effective date of this Act.  An 
action filed before the effective date of this Act is covered by the 
law in effect when the action was filed, and the former law is 
continued in effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.