S.B. No. 543
AN ACT
relating to a probate fee exemption for estates of certain law
enforcement officers, firefighters, and others killed in the line
of duty.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
ARTICLE 1. TEXAS PROBATE CODE
SECTION 1.01. Chapter I, Texas Probate Code, is amended by
adding Section 11B to read as follows:
Sec. 11B. EXEMPTION FROM PROBATE FEES FOR ESTATES OF
CERTAIN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS, AND OTHERS.
(a) In this section:
(1) "Eligible decedent" means an individual listed in
Section 615.003, Government Code.
(2) "Line of duty" and "personal injury" have the
meanings assigned by Section 615.021(e), Government Code.
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the clerk of a court may
not charge, or collect from, the estate of an eligible decedent any
of the following fees if the decedent died as a result of a personal
injury sustained in the line of duty in the individual's position as
described by Section 615.003, Government Code:
(1) a fee for or associated with the filing of the
decedent's will for probate; and
(2) a fee for any service rendered by the court
regarding the administration of the decedent's estate.
SECTION 1.02. The changes in law made by this article apply
only to the estate of a decedent who dies on or after the effective
date of this Act. The estate of a decedent who dies before the
effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the
date of the decedent's death, and the former law is continued in
effect for that purpose.
ARTICLE 2. ESTATES CODE
SECTION 2.01. Subchapter B, Chapter 53, Estates Code, is
amended by adding Section 53.054 to read as follows:
Sec. 53.054. EXEMPTION FROM PROBATE FEES FOR ESTATES OF
CERTAIN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS, AND OTHERS.
(a) In this section:
(1) "Eligible decedent" means an individual listed in
Section 615.003, Government Code.
(2) "Line of duty" and "personal injury" have the
meanings assigned by Section 615.021(e), Government Code.
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the clerk of a court may
not charge, or collect from, the estate of an eligible decedent any
of the following fees if the decedent died as a result of a personal
injury sustained in the line of duty in the individual's position as
described by Section 615.003, Government Code:
(1) a fee for or associated with the filing of the
decedent's will for probate; and
(2) a fee for any service rendered by the court
regarding the administration of the decedent's estate.
SECTION 2.02. Section 11B, Texas Probate Code, as added by
Article 1 of this Act, is repealed.
SECTION 2.03. This article takes effect January 1, 2014.
ARTICLE 3. EFFECTIVE DATE
SECTION 3.01. Except as otherwise provided by this Act,
this Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 543 passed the Senate on
March 24, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 543 passed the House on
May 20, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 0, two
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor