Whenever by virtue of law service of process or any other instrument of writing is required to be served upon the secretary of state, the person commencing the action and securing service of process or other instruments of writing in this manner shall pay to the secretary of state at the time of such service a fee as determined and published in accordance with the provisions of La. Rev. Stat. 49:222, which said person shall be entitled to recover as taxable cost in the action if he shall prevail.  However, no such fee shall be paid or recovered when such service of process is required as a result of a small claims action filed in accordance with La. Rev. Stat. 13:5200 et seq.  

Acts 1983, No. 235, §4, eff. July 1, 1983; Acts 1985, No. 314, §1; Acts 1989, No. 581, §1.