Sec. 51.706. ADDITIONAL FILING FEE FOR CIVIL CASES IN BEXAR COUNTY

(a) This section applies only to district courts, statutory probate courts, and county courts at law in Bexar County.

(b) Except as otherwise provided by this section and in addition to all other fees authorized or required by other law, the clerk of a court shall collect a filing fee of not more than $15 in each civil case filed in the court to be used for the construction, renovation, or improvement of the facilities that house the Bexar County civil and criminal courts. The fee does not apply to a suit affecting the parent-child relationship for the adoption of a child or the termination of parental rights.

(c) Court fees due under this section shall be collected in the same manner as other fees, fines, or costs are collected in the case.

(d) The clerk at least monthly shall send the fees collected under this section to the county treasurer or to any other official who discharges the duties commonly assigned to the county treasurer. The treasurer or other official shall deposit the fees in a special account in the county treasury dedicated to the construction, renovation, or improvement of the facilities that house the Bexar County civil and criminal courts.

(e) This section applies only to the collection of fees for a 12-month period beginning October 1, if the commissioners court:

(1) adopts a resolution authorizing a fee of not more than $15;

(2) adopts a resolution requiring the county to spend one dollar for the construction, renovation, or improvement of the court facilities for each dollar spent from the special account dedicated to that purpose; and

(3) files the resolutions with the county treasurer or with any other official who discharges the duties commonly assigned to the county treasurer not later than September 1 immediately preceding the first 12-month period during which the fees are to be collected.

(f) A resolution adopted under Subsection (e) continues from year to year until October 1, 2024, allowing the county to collect fees in accordance with this section until the resolution is rescinded.

(g) The commissioners court may rescind a resolution adopted under Subsection (e) by adopting a resolution rescinding the resolution and submitting the rescission resolution to the county treasurer or to any other official who discharges the duties commonly assigned to the county treasurer not later than September 1 preceding the beginning of the first day of the county fiscal year. The commissioners court may adopt another resolution in the manner provided by Subsection (e) after rescinding a previous resolution adopted under that subsection.

(h) A fee established under a particular resolution is abolished on the earlier of:

(1) the date a resolution adopted under Subsection (e) is rescinded as provided by Subsection (g); or

(2) October 1, 2024.

(i) The county may make the expenditure required under Subsection (e)(2) at any time, regardless of when the expenditure from the special account occurs.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 593 , Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.