BILL ANALYSIS
By: Ritter
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Alternative dispute resolution centers are available in most of the major population centers in Texas. The dispute resolution centers vary in administrative structure, but generally rely on cooperative efforts between the Commissioners Court, citizen advisory boards and the local Bar Association. Currently, there are 17 dispute resolution centers operating throughout the state. Alternative dispute resolution centers are funded by a court fee not to exceed $10 that is paid in every civil case filed in the county where the center operates. This fee was established in 1987 and has not been increased since its inception.
C.S.H.B. 1310 will allow counties with populations of more than 250,000 and less than 290,000 who operate a division of county government dispute resolution center to charge and collect a user fee that will be set by the county commissioner's court.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
C.S.H.B. 1310 amends Chapter 152, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, by adding Section 152.006 to establish a user fee for alternative dispute resolution centers in counties with populations of more than 250,000 and less than 290,000.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2005.
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
C.S.H.B. 1310 states that the changes made by this act only apply to counties with populations of more than 250,000 and less than 290,000.