83R2759 TJS-D By: West S.B. No. 719 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to fees charged by certain entities administering alternative dispute resolution systems for counties. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 152.006, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 152.006. FEE FOR ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTERS. (a) An entity described by Section 152.002(b)(1) that provides services for the resolution of disputes in a county that borders the Gulf of Mexico with a population of 250,000 or more but less than 300,000 may collect a reasonable fee in any amount set by the commissioners court from a person who receives the services. [This section may not be construed to affect the collection of a fee by any other entity described by Section 152.002(b)(1).] (b) An entity described by Section 152.002(b)(1) that provides services for the resolution of disputes in a county other than a county described by Subsection (a) may collect from a person who receives the services a reasonable fee in an amount set by the commissioners court not to exceed $25, except that a judge referring a case to the entity under Section 152.003 may, on motion of a party, order that the fee be waived. SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to a case referred to a county alternative dispute resolution system on or after the effective date of this Act. A case referred before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law applicable to the case immediately before that date, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.