H.B. No. 3073 AN ACT relating to charges at closing of certain real property transactions. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 2501, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Section 2501.008 to read as follows: Sec. 2501.008. THIRD-PARTY CHARGES. A title insurance company, title insurance agent, or direct operation may charge, separate from the title insurance premium, actual costs or a reasonable estimate of costs incurred in connection with a closing and settlement, including: (1) a charge by a third party for an electronic filing fee; or (2) a fee of a third party for the provision of an ad valorem tax report. SECTION 2. This Act applies only to a real property transaction that closes on or after the effective date of this Act. A real property transaction that closes before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law as it existed immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect January 1, 2010. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 3073 was passed by the House on April 15, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 147, Nays 0, 1 present, not voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B. No. 3073 on May 29, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0, 2 present, not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 3073 was passed by the Senate, with amendments, on May 27, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: __________________ Date __________________ Governor