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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study conducted by the Office of Court Administration |
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of the Texas Judicial System and the repeal of certain court fees |
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and costs. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 72, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 72.031 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 72.031. STUDY TO REPEAL CERTAIN COURT FEES AND COSTS. |
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(a) Not later than September 1, 2014, the office shall: |
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(1) conduct a study on court fees and costs that |
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identifies each statutory law imposing a fee or cost for filing a |
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paper document with a court in this state; |
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(2) determine whether each identified fee or cost is |
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necessary to accomplish the stated statutory purpose; |
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(3) compile a list of the identified fees and costs and |
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of each fee or cost the office determines is necessary; |
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(4) publish the list on the office's Internet website |
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and in the Texas Register; and |
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(5) provide a copy of the list and determinations to |
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the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of |
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representatives. |
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(b) In conducting the study required under Subsection (a), |
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the office shall consult with local government representatives as |
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the office determines appropriate. |
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(c) The Texas Legislative Council shall prepare for |
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consideration by the 84th Legislature, Regular Session, a revision |
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of the statutes of this state as necessary to reflect the court |
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costs and fees identified by the office as not necessary in the |
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study conducted under Subsection (a). |
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(d) This section expires January 1, 2016. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |