BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3553

By: Farrar

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The authority of local governments and appellate courts to charge a fee for electronic filing transactions is set to expire this year, but it has been suggested that there is still a need for this revenue in order to recover operating costs of the electronic filing system. H.B. 3553 seeks to address this need by removing the expiration date from the provision authorizing the fee.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3553 repeals Section 72.031(c-1), Government Code, which sets an expiration date of September 1, 2019, for a provision authorizing a local government or appellate court that uses the state electronic filing system to charge a $2 fee for each electronic filing transaction, subject to certain conditions, and amends the Government Code to make a conforming change.                    

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.