Sec. 117.121. DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS. (a) Money may be paid from the registry fund only on checks or drafts signed by a clerk on the written order of the court with proper jurisdiction, except that the clerk may make a payment without court order for unpaid court costs from a cash bond deposited in connection with an appeal after the appellate court issues its mandate in the appeal if the costs remain unpaid for 45 days after the mandate is issued.

(b) All checks or drafts issued for the disbursement of the registry fund must be submitted to the county auditor for the auditor's countersignature before delivery or payment. The county auditor may countersign the checks only on written evidence of the order of the judge of the court in which the funds have been deposited, authorizing the disbursement of the funds.

(c) Notwithstanding Subsections (a) and (b), a disbursement under an order of a court in which registry funds have been deposited may be made by electronic transfer if:

(1) the designated recipient of the money submits to a clerk a written request for the transfer;

(2) the clerk gives written approval for the transfer; and

(3) a county auditor countersigns the approval.

(d) A clerk may charge a reasonable fee, subject to the approval of the recipient of the money, for an electronic transfer of a disbursement from a registry fund.

Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1, Sec. 17(b), eff. Aug. 28, 1989. Renumbered from Sec. 117.122 by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 752, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 26, 1991; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 505, Sec. 21, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 196, Sec. 4, eff. Aug. 30, 1999.