Sec. 72.031.  ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM.  (a)  In this section:
(1)  "Appellate court" means the supreme court, the court of criminal appeals, or a court of appeals.
(2)  "Electronic filing system" means the filing system established by supreme court rule or order for the electronic filing of documents in courts of this state.
(3)  "Electronic filing transaction" means the simultaneous electronic filing of one or more documents related to a proceeding before a court in this state.
(4)  "Local government" means a county or municipality.
(5)  "State court document database" means a database accessible by the public and established or authorized by the supreme court for storing documents filed with a court in this state.
(b)  The office as authorized by supreme court rule or order may:
(1)  implement an electronic filing system for use in the courts of this state;
(2)  allow public access to view information or documents in the state court document database; and
(3)  charge a reasonable fee for additional optional features in the state court document database.
(c)  Expired.
(d)  A local government or appellate court that uses the electronic filing system may accept electronic payment methods, including payments made with credit and debit cards.
(e)  A governmental entity not otherwise required to pay a filing fee under any other law may not be required to pay a fee established under this section.
(f)  A court shall waive payment of any fee due under this section for an individual the court determines is indigent.
Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1290 (H.B. 2302), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2013.
Amended by: 
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 934 (H.B. 3774), Sec. 6.01, eff. September 1, 2021.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 934 (H.B. 3774), Sec. 6.02, eff. September 1, 2021.