Sec. 118.064. ADDITIONAL FEE IN ORIGINAL PROBATE ACTION

(a) The fee "Additional, special fee" under Section 118.052(2)(A)(vi) is to be paid for each original action filed in a probate court and is in addition to all other fees.

(b) The fee shall be deposited in the general fund of the county to be used for:

(1) the continuing education of the judge and staff of the probate courts, including the payment of travel and related expenses in attending a continuing judicial education activity of an organization accredited by the supreme court for continuing judicial education; or

(2) the contribution of the county to fund the compensation required by Chapter 781, Acts of the 68th Legislature, Regular Session, 1983 (Article 1969b, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), for the presiding judge of the statutory probate courts.

(c) If the fee produces more revenue than required for the purposes provided by Subsection (b), the commissioners court by order shall reduce the fee to an amount that will not produce more revenue than required.

(d) A judge may not expend funds for continuing education without the approval of the commissioners court of the county. The judge of the court shall supply the commissioners court with an itemized receipt for those expenses.

(e) The county auditor shall audit the fees collected in the same manner as other fees collected by the clerk.

Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.