AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

There is a concern that the law does not adequately address the use of electronic communications by statutory probate court associate judges to communicate with the parties to a proceeding.  H.B. 1830 addresses this concern by enabling judges to communicate officially through electronic mail.

 

H.B. 1830 amends current law relating to the method of delivery of certain notices sent by statutory probate court associate judges.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Sections 54.614(c) and (d), Government Code, as follows:

 

(c)  Authorizes notice to be given to the parties by certain methods, including by electronic mail.

 

(d)  Provides that there is a rebuttable presumption that notice is received on the date stated on certain documents, including a printout evidencing submission of the electronic mail message, if notice was provided by electronic mail.

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.