Court fees: electronic filing.

(1) Existing law establishes various fees to be paid upon the filing of documents with the court. Existing law also provides for the electronic filing and service of documents through an electronic filing service provider. This bill would provide that, where a represented party fails to remit payment to an electronic filing service provider, the electronic filing service provider may notify the clerk, and the clerk may notify the attorney of record that the attorney may be sanctioned for nonpayment of fees. The bill would allow the court to sanction the attorney of record if the fees to the electronic service provider remain unpaid 20 days after notice by the clerk. (2) Existing law authorizes a court, subject to Judicial Council approval, to accept a credit card, debit card, or electronic funds transfer in payment of designated obligations, including filing fees and other court fees. Existing law authorizes a court or agent of the court to impose a fee, subject to Judicial Council approval, for the use of a credit or debit card or electronic funds transfer, as specified. Existing law, for purposes of this provision, deems an electronic filing service provider who is required to collect and remit a filing fee or other court fee to complete an electronic filing transaction to be an agent of the court solely for that purpose, unless otherwise specified. This bill, in case of a duplicate payment by a party or an electronic filing service provider submitting a payment on behalf of a party, would require the court to issue any appropriate refund to the entity that made the most recent payment.