CA AB1531

Adds new Code of Civil Procedure Section 411.20.5 allowing electronic filing service providers to notify courts when attorneys fail to pay fees, with court authority to sanction attorneys after 20 days of nonpayment.

Requires courts to issue refunds for duplicate payments to the entity that made the most recent payment, whether the payment was from a party or an electronic filing service provider.

Designates electronic filing service providers as agents of the court solely for purposes of collecting and remitting filing fees and other court fees for electronic filing transactions.

Amends Government Code Section 6159 to permit courts and electronic filing service providers to accept multiple payment methods including credit cards, debit cards, electronic funds transfers, and ACH networks.

Prohibits electronic filing service providers from collecting fees from parties exempt from paying court fees while still completing the electronic filing.