hb1503_LC_18_5287_a_2.html
06 LC 18 5287
House Bill 1503
By: Representatives Bridges of the 10th, Reece of the 27th, and Jenkins of the 8th

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To authorize the Magistrate Court of White County to charge a technology fee for each civil case filed and criminal fine imposed; to specify the uses to which said technology fees may be put; to provide for review and reports; to provide for adjustment of such fee; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.
(a) The clerk of the Magistrate Court of White County shall be entitled to charge and collect a technology fee to be set by the court in the amount of $8.00 for the filing of each civil action and $8.00 as a surcharge to each fine paid. Technology fees shall be used exclusively to provide for the technological needs of the magistrate court. Such uses shall include only the following:
(1) Computer hardware and software purchases;
(2) Lease, maintenance, and installation of computer hardware; and
(3) Purchase, lease, maintenance, and installation of imaging, scanning, facsimile, communications, projection, and printing equipment and software.
(b) The funds collected pursuant to this section shall be maintained in a segregated fund by the clerk of the magistrate court and shall be used only for the purposes authorized in this section at the direction of the judge of the magistrate court.
(c) The clerk shall collaborate with the finance director of White County to ensure the effective implementation of this Act.
(d) At the end of each calendar year, the finance director shall provide a detailed report of all income and expenditures of the fund to the judge of the magistrate court and to the governing authority of White County.
(e) Beginning July 1, 2007, and every two years thereafter, the finance director shall review the fund history and any excess sums not expended or earmarked for the purposes specified in this Act shall be paid into the general fund of the county.
(f) On July 1, 2007, the finance director and the judge of the magistrate court shall review the fund history and the judge shall be authorized, with the advice and consent of the governing authority of White County, to set the technology fee at an even dollar figure less than $8.00 by an order filed with the clerk of the magistrate court.

SECTION 2.
This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2006.

SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.