H.B. No. 346

AN ACT

relating to the fee amounts prescribed by the secretary of state for expedited commercial and business record searches or filings and the exemption from the franchise tax and certain filing fees for veteran-owned businesses.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 405.032, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(a) The secretary of state may set and collect the following:

(1) for the expedited handling of a certified record search or expedited filing of a document in the security interest and financing statement records of the secretary, a fee in an amount the secretary of state prescribes [of not more than $15];

(2) for the expedited filing or reviewing of a document relating to a profit or nonprofit corporation, professional corporation or association, cooperative association, unincorporated nonprofit association, limited or general partnership, or limited liability company, a fee in an amount the secretary of state prescribes [of not more than $25];

(3) for the expedited access or access by electronic data transmittal processes to data that is stored in state computer record banks maintained by the secretary, a fee in an amount reasonable and necessary to cover the costs of establishing and administering the system. Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, the secretary is authorized to maintain a system to provide expedited access by electronic data transmittal processes to all information that is stored in state computer banks maintained by the secretary and that is not classified as confidential by statute or a court decision; and

(4) for the expedited handling of a request for a certified copy or certificate of fact relating to a corporation, limited partnership, assumed name, trademark document, or other document filed for public record with the corporations section of the office of the secretary of state, a fee of not more than $10 a copy or certificate.

(d) In prescribing fee amounts under Subsections (a)(1) and (2), the secretary of state may prescribe a varying fee schedule based on the type of business organization. The secretary of state shall publish on the secretary of state's Internet website the prescribed fee amounts and any varying fee schedule.

SECTION 2. The following provisions are repealed:

(1) Section 3, Chapter 859 (S.B. 938), Acts of the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, as effective January 1, 2026, which amended Section 171.0001(4), Tax Code;

(2) Section 7, Chapter 859 (S.B. 938), Acts of the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, as effective January 1, 2026, which amended Section 171.063(g), Tax Code; and

(3) Section 9, Chapter 859 (S.B. 938), Acts of the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, as effective January 1, 2026, which provided for the repeal of Section 12.005, Business Organizations Code, and Sections 171.0005, 171.001(d), and 171.204(d), Tax Code.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 346 was passed by the House on May 10, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 128, Nays 0, 2 present, not voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B. No. 346 on May 30, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 124, Nays 11, 2 present, not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 346 was passed by the Senate, with amendments, on May 28, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: __________________

Date

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Governor