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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a probate fee exemption for estates of members of the |
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armed forces of the United States who died while serving in a combat |
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zone. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter I, Texas Probate Code, is amended by |
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adding Section 11A to read as follows: |
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Sec. 11A. EXEMPTION FROM PROBATE FEES FOR ESTATES OF CERTAIN |
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MILITARY SERVICEMEMBERS. (a) In this section, "combat zone" means |
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an area that the president of the United States by executive order |
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designates for purposes of 26 U.S.C. Section 112 as an area in which |
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armed forces of the United States are or have engaged in combat. |
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(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the clerk of a county |
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court may not charge, or collect from, the estate of a decedent any |
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of the following fees if the decedent died while in active service |
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as a member of the armed forces of the United States in a combat |
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zone: |
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(1) a fee for or associated with the filing of the |
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decedent's will for probate; and |
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(2) a fee for any service rendered by the probate court |
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regarding the administration of the decedent's estate. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |