Relating to the creation of an appellate judicial system for the Twelfth Court of Appeals District.
To finance this judicial system, the bill introduces a court costs fee of $5 for each civil suit filed in the relevant county courts. Importantly, this fee will not apply to suits filed by governmental entities or suits concerning delinquent taxes. The funds collected will be placed into an appellate judicial system fund, which will be managed by the commissioners court and distributed equally to clerks of courts of appeals within the counties. This financial framework is expected to improve the operational capabilities of the appellate judicial system.
House Bill 967 proposes the establishment of an appellate judicial system specifically for the Twelfth Court of Appeals District. The bill mandates that the commissioners court of each county within this district shall create and manage an appellate judicial system designed to assist the court of appeals in processing appeals from various lower courts, including county courts and district courts. This structure aims to streamline the appeals process and facilitate judicial efficiency in the district.
While the bill sets forth a clear mechanism for funding and managing the appellate judicial system, there may be points of contention regarding the additional costs imposed on civil litigants. Critics might argue that introducing a fee for court filings could deter access to the judicial system, particularly for individuals of limited means. Supporters, however, may contend that the fee is a necessary measure to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the appellate process in the district.