HB346 - Relating to the fee amounts prescribed by the secretary of state for expedited commercial and business record searches or filings and the exemption from the franchise tax and certain filing fees for veteran-owned businesses.

      H.B. No. 346         AN ACT   relating to the fee amounts prescribed by the secretary of state for   expedited commercial and business record searches or filings and   the exemption from the franchise tax and certain filing fees for   veteran-owned businesses.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 405.032, Government Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d) to read as   follows:          (a)  The secretary of state may set and collect the   following:                (1)  for the expedited handling of a certified record   search or expedited filing of a document in the security interest   and financing statement records of the secretary, a fee in an amount   the secretary of state prescribes [ of not more than $15 ];                (2)  for the expedited filing or reviewing of a   document relating to a profit or nonprofit corporation,   professional corporation or association, cooperative association,   unincorporated nonprofit association, limited or general   partnership, or limited liability company, a fee in an amount the   secretary of state prescribes [ of not more than $25 ];                (3)  for the expedited access or access by electronic   data transmittal processes to data that is stored in state computer   record banks maintained by the secretary, a fee in an amount   reasonable and necessary to cover the costs of establishing and   administering the system. Notwithstanding any other provision of   this code, the secretary is authorized to maintain a system to   provide expedited access by electronic data transmittal processes   to all information that is stored in state computer banks   maintained by the secretary and that is not classified as   confidential by statute or a court decision; and                (4)  for the expedited handling of a request for a   certified copy or certificate of fact relating to a corporation,   limited partnership, assumed name, trademark document, or other   document filed for public record with the corporations section of   the office of the secretary of state, a fee of not more than $10 a   copy or certificate.           (d)     In prescribing fee amounts under Subsections (a)(1) and   (2), the secretary of state may prescribe a varying fee schedule   based on the type of business organization.   The secretary of state   shall publish on the secretary of state's Internet website the   prescribed fee amounts and any varying fee schedule.          SECTION 2.  The following provisions are repealed:                (1)  Section 3, Chapter 859 (S.B. 938), Acts of the 87th   Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, as effective January 1, 2026,   which amended Section 171.0001(4), Tax Code;                (2)  Section 7, Chapter 859 (S.B. 938), Acts of the 87th   Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, as effective January 1, 2026,   which amended Section 171.063(g), Tax Code; and                (3)  Section 9, Chapter 859 (S.B. 938), Acts of the 87th   Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, as effective January 1, 2026,   which provided for the repeal of Section 12.005, Business   Organizations Code, and Sections 171.0005, 171.001(d), and   171.204(d), Tax Code.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 346 was passed by the House on May 10,   2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 128, Nays 0, 2 present, not   voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.   No. 346 on May 30, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 124, Nays 11,   2 present, not voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House               I certify that H.B. No. 346 was passed by the Senate, with   amendments, on May 28, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays   0.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate      APPROVED: __________________                   Date                       __________________                 Governor