BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 3553
86R14022 PMO-D	By: Farrar (Zaffirini)
	State Affairs
	5/16/2019
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The authority of local governments and appellate courts to charge a fee for electronic filing is set to expire on September 1, 2019. There is still a need for this revenue, however, to recover operating costs of the electronic filing system.

H.B. 3553 would address this need by removing the expiration date from the provision authorizing the fee.

H.B. 3553 amends current law relating to filing fees for the electronic filing system established by the Supreme Court of Texas.

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. Repealer: Section 72.031(c-1) (relating to providing that certain provisions governing fees for use of the electronic filing system established by the Supreme Court of Texas (electronic filing system) expire September 1, 2019), Government Code.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 103.027(b), Government Code, to delete existing text providing that this subsection (relating to a fee for transactions using the electronic filing system) expires September 1, 2019.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.