HB623: HB623 Carroll County; Probate Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee

25 LC 44 2959/AP House Bill 623 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE) By: Representatives Smith of the 18th, Huddleston of the 72nd, Howard of the 71st, and Smith of the 70th A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the Probate Court of1 Carroll County; to identify the authorized uses of such technol ogy fee; to provide for the2 termination of such technology fee and dedication of residual funds; to provide for related3 matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5 SECTION 1.6 (a) The clerk of the Probate Court of Carroll County is hereby authorized to charge and7 collect a technology fee to be set by the judge of the probate court in an amount not to8 exceed $10.00 for the filing of each civil action with the court. Such technology fees shall9 be used exclusively to provide for technological needs of the P robate Court of Carroll10 County. Such uses shall include only the following:11 (1) Computer hardware, software, and accessory purchases;12 (2) Lease, maintenance, and installation of computer hardware;13 (3) Purchase, lease, maintenance, and installation of audio-vi sual, imaging, scanning,14 facsimile, communications, recording, projection, and printing equipment and software;15 H. B. 623 - 1 - 25 LC 44 2959/AP (4) Purchase of local or remote technological support services and equipment which may16 be used to connect to cellular radio systems, remote internet s ervices, and any other17 remote access system;18 (5) Procurement of services and equipment for conserving court records and archiving19 the same to digital contents for public access, including but n ot limited to software,20 services, platforms, licensing and user fees for remote or cloud based storage platforms21 and cybersecurity services and insurance; and22 (6) Technology related training, including courses, certifications, and programs related23 to any technology that is specifically utilized for the operation of the court.24 (b) Funds collected pursuant to this section shall be maintained in a segregated account by25 the clerk of the probate court and shall be used only for the p urposes authorized in this26 section.27 (c) The authority to assess the technology fee pursuant to thi s Act shall terminate on28 July 1, 2035, and any residual funds remaining in the account established by subsection (b)29 of this section shall remain dedicated to general Carroll County technology uses.30 SECTION 2.31 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.32 H. B. 623 - 2 -