GOVERNMENT CODE

TITLE 2. JUDICIAL BRANCH

SUBTITLE F. COURT ADMINISTRATION

CHAPTER 80.  DELIVERY OF NOTICE, ORDERS, AND DOCUMENTS

Sec. 80.001.  DELIVERY OF NOTICE OR DOCUMENT.  A court, justice, judge, magistrate, or clerk may send any notice or document by a method authorized by Section 80.002(a).
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 257 (S.B. 1116), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015.
Amended by: 
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 861 (H.B. 3474), Sec. 18.002, eff. September 1, 2023.

Sec. 80.002.  DELIVERY OF NOTICE, ORDER, OR DOCUMENT. (a) A court, justice, judge, magistrate, or clerk may send any notice or document using mail or electronic mail.  This subsection applies to all civil and criminal statutes requiring delivery of a notice or document.
(b)  In addition to any other delivery method required or authorized by law or supreme court rule, a statutory county court, district court, or appellate court shall deliver through the electronic filing system established under Section 72.031 to all parties in each case in which the use of the electronic filing system is required or authorized all court orders the court enters for the case.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 257 (S.B. 1116), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015.
Amended by: 
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 861 (H.B. 3474), Sec. 18.003, eff. September 1, 2023.

Sec. 80.003.  ELECTRONIC MAIL ADDRESS.  (a)  If electronic mail is used to send a notice or document and the person who will receive the notice or document is registered with the electronic filing system established under Section 72.031, as added by Chapter 1290 (H.B. 2302), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, the court, justice, judge, magistrate, or clerk sending the notice or document must use the electronic mail address on file with the electronic filing system, if the court uses the electronic filing system.
(b)  If electronic mail is used to send a notice or document and the person who will receive the notice or document is not registered with the electronic filing system established under Section 72.031, as added by Chapter 1290 (H.B. 2302), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, or the court does not use the electronic filing system, the court, justice, judge, magistrate, or clerk must use the electronic mail address provided by the person.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 257 (S.B. 1116), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015.

Sec. 80.004.  MAIL.  (a)  The definition of mail in this chapter includes:
(1)  first-class mail;
(2)  first-class United States mail;
(3)  ordinary or regular mail; and
(4)  international first-class mail.
(b)  The definition of mail in this chapter does not include:
(1)  any form of mail that requires proof of delivery;
(2)  certified mail;
(3)  certified mail or a comparable mailing method that provides proof of delivery;
(4)  certified mail, restricted delivery;
(5)  certified mail, return receipt requested;
(6)  delivery by the United States Postal Service using a signature confirmation service;
(7)  documents delivered by common or contract carriers, including Federal Express or United Parcel Service;
(8)  express mail offered by the United States Postal Service;
(9)  first-class mail, return receipt requested;
(10)  freight mail;
(11)  interagency mail;
(12)  international registered mail, return receipt requested;
(13)  mail, return receipt requested;
(14)  personal service or hand delivery;
(15)  prepaid registered mail;
(16)  registered mail;
(17)  registered mail, return receipt requested; and
(18)  certified or registered mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 257 (S.B. 1116), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015.

Sec. 80.005.  ELECTRONIC MAIL.  (a)  Authorized methods of delivering a notice or document by electronic mail include:
(1)  electronic notice sent through the electronic filing system under Section 72.031, as added by Chapter 1290 (H.B. 2302), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013;
(2)  electronic notice;
(3)  electronic mail messages;
(4)  e-mail; and
(5)  secure electronic mail.
(b)  Authorized methods of delivering a notice or document by electronic mail do not include:
(1)  facsimiles;
(2)  instant messaging;
(3)  messages on a social network website, including Facebook and Twitter;
(4)  telegraphs;
(5)  telephone messages;
(6)  text messages;
(7)  videoconferencing;
(8)  voice messages; or
(9)  webcams.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 257 (S.B. 1116), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015.