BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 237
80R3181 KFF-D By: Shapiro
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, electronic filing of court documents is available in district courts, but not for justice of the peace courts. This bill directs the Supreme Court of Texas to change the Rules of Civil Procedure to allow for electronic justice of the peace court filings.
As proposed, S.B. 237 allows the option for electronic filing of court documents at the justice of the peace court level.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Supreme Court of Texas in SECTION 1 (Section 22.004, Government Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 22.004, Government Code, by adding Subsection (f), as follows:
(f) Requires the supreme court to adopt rules for the electronic filing of documents in civil cases in justice of the peace courts. Requires the rules adopted under this subsection to meet certain conditions.
SECTION 2. Requires the supreme court to adopt the rules required by Section 22.004(f), Government Code, as added by this Act, by January 1, 2008.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.