TITLE: Relating to the fees collected by justices of the peace on the filing of certain civil actions to fund a law library.

SUMMARY: Relating to the fees collected by justices of the peace on the filing of certain civil actions to fund a law library.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the fees collected by justices of the peace on the filing of certain civil actions to fund a law library. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 101.151(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) A justice of the peace shall collect the following fees under the Local Government Code: (1) services rendered before judgment (Secs. 118.121 and 118.122, Local Government Code): (A) justice court (Sec. 118.121, Local Government Code)...$25; and (B) small claims court (Sec. 118.121, Local Government Code)...$25; [and] (2) services rendered after judgment (Secs. 118.121 and 118.123, Local Government Code): (A) transcript (Sec. 118.121, Local Government Code)...$10; (B) abstract of judgment (Sec. 118.121, Local Government Code)...$5; (C) execution, order of sale, writ of restitution, or other writ or process (Sec. 118.121, Local Government Code)...$5 per page; (D) certified copy of court papers (Secs. 118.121 and 118.1235, Local Government Code)...$2 for first page; $0.25 for each additional page; and (E) issuing other document (no return required) (Sec. 118.121, Local Government Code)...$1 for first page; $0.25 for each additional page;and (3) court cost in civil cases in which the amount in controversy exceeds $4,999 but does not exceed $10,000, other than suits for delinquent taxes, to fund the county law library fund, if authorized by the county commissioners court (Sec. 323.023, Local Government Code)...not to exceed $35.SECTION 2. Section 323.023(a), Local Government Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) A sum set by the commissioners court not to exceed $35 shall be taxed, collected, and paid as other costs in each civil case filed in a county or district court and in each civil case filed in a justice court in which the amount in controversy exceeds $4,999 but does not exceed $10,000 [ except suits for delinquent taxes. The county is not liable for the costs].SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only to a civil action filed in a justice court on or after the effective date of this Act. A civil action filed before that date is governed by the law in effect on the date the action was filed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.