2005 Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code CHAPTER 152. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION SYSTEM ESTABLISHED BY COUNTIES

CIVIL PRACTICE & REMEDIES CODE

CHAPTER 152. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION SYSTEM ESTABLISHED BY 
COUNTIES


	§ 152.001. DEFINITION.  In this chapter, "alternative 
dispute resolution system" means an informal forum in which 
mediation, conciliation, or arbitration is used to resolve disputes 
among individuals, including those having an ongoing relationship 
such as relatives, neighbors, landlords and tenants, employees and 
employers, and merchants and consumers.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 167, § 3.16(a), eff. Sept. 1, 
1987.   


	§ 152.002. ESTABLISHMENT.  (a) The commissioners court of 
a county by order may establish an alternative dispute resolution 
system for the peaceable and expeditious resolution of citizen 
disputes.
	(b)  The commissioners court may do all necessary acts to 
make the alternative dispute resolution system effective, 
including:
		(1)  contracting with a private nonprofit corporation, 
a political subdivision, a public corporation, or a combination of 
these entities for the purpose of administering the system;
		(2)  making reasonable rules relating to the system;  
and                   
		(3)  vesting management of the system in a committee 
selected by the county bar association.
	(c)  The actions of a committee authorized by Subsection 
(b)(3) are subject to the approval of the commissioners court.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 167, § 3.16(a), eff. Sept. 1, 
1987.   


	§ 152.003. REFERRAL OF CASES.  A judge of a district 
court, county court, statutory county court, probate court, or 
justice of the peace court in a county in which an alternative 
dispute resolution system has been established may, on motion of a 
party or on the judge's or justice's own motion, refer a case to the 
system.  Referral under this section does not prejudice the case.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 167, § 3.16(a), eff. Sept. 1, 
1987.  Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 509, § 1, eff. Sept. 
1, 1999.


	§ 152.004. FINANCING.  (a) To establish and maintain an 
alternative dispute resolution system, the commissioners court may 
set a court cost in an amount not to exceed $15 to be taxed, 
collected, and paid as other court costs in each civil case filed in 
a county or district court in the county, including a civil case 
relating to probate matters but not including:
		(1)  a suit for delinquent taxes;                                             
		(2)  a condemnation proceeding under Chapter 21, 
Property Code;  or         
		(3)  a proceeding under Subtitle C, Title 7, Health and 
Safety Code.        
	(b)  The county is not liable for the payment of a court cost 
under this section.
	(c)  The clerks of the courts in the county shall collect and 
pay the costs to the county treasurer or, if the county does not 
have a treasurer, to the county officer who performs the functions 
of the treasurer, who shall deposit the costs in a separate fund 
known as the alternative dispute resolution system fund.  The fund 
shall be administered by the commissioners court and may only be 
used to establish and maintain the system.  The system shall be 
operated at one or more convenient and accessible places in the 
county.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 167, § 3.16(a), eff. Sept. 1, 
1987.  Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, § 4.07(a), eff. 
Aug. 28, 1989;  Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 509, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 
1999;  Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1192, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2005.


	§ 152.005. ADDITIONAL FEE FOR JUSTICE COURTS.  (a) To 
establish and maintain an alternative dispute resolution system, 
the commissioners court may, in addition to the court cost 
authorized under Section 152.004, set a court cost in an amount not 
to exceed $5 for civil cases filed in a justice court located in the 
county, but not including:
		(1)  a suit for delinquent taxes;  or                                         
		(2)  an eviction proceeding, including a forcible 
detainer, a forcible entry and detainer, or a writ of re-entry.
	(b)  A clerk of the court shall collect and pay the court cost 
in the manner prescribed by Section 152.004(c).

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 509, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.  
Amended by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1192, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 
2005.


	§ 152.006. FEE FOR ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION 
CENTERS.  An entity described by Section 152.002(b)(1) that 
provides services for the resolution of disputes in a county with a 
population of 250,000 or more but less than 290,000 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).

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1192, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2005.