SB317: SB317 Magistrate Court of Clinch County; assessment and collection of a technology fee; authorize

25 LC 44 2995 Senate Bill 317 By: Senator Goodman of the 8th AS PASSED A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the Magistrate Court of1 Clinch County; to identify the authorized uses of such technolo gy fee; to provide for the2 administration of such technology fee and funds; to provide for related matters; to repeal3 conflicting laws; and for other purposes.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5 SECTION 1.6 (a) The governing authority of Clinch County is authorized to adopt a resolution authorizing7 the clerk of the Magistrate Court of Clinch County to charge and collect a technology fee in8 an amount not to exceed $5.00, as s et from time to time by the governing authority by9 resolution, for every civil action filed, every estate filed, e ach conviction, as well as a10 surcharge on each fine assessed by the magistrate court, and ea ch filing of an affidavit,11 except for affidavits of indigency. The magistrate court technology fee shall be assessed and12 collected not more than once per party within any one action or proceeding. Such technology13 fees shall be used exclusively to provide for technological needs of the Magistrate Court of14 Clinch County. Such uses shall include only the following:15 (1) Computer hardware, software, and accessory purchases;16 S. B. 317 - 1 - 25 LC 44 2995 (2) Lease, maintenance, and installation of computer hardware;17 (3) Purchase, lease, maintenance, and installation of imaging, scanning, facsimile,18 communications, projection, and printing equipment and software; and19 (4) Procurement of services or equipment for the conversion of court records and20 archives to digital content for public access.21 (b) Funds collected pursuant to this Act shall be collected by the clerk of the magistrate22 court and remitted to the governing authority of the county on a monthly basis. Such23 proceeds shall be maintained by the governing authority of the county in a separate,24 segregated account; provided, however, that as long as the prob ate judge and magistrate25 judge are consolidated, the probate court technology fee and the magistrate court technology26 fee may be maintained in a joint consolidated account and shall be expended solely for the27 purposes enumerated in subsection (a) of this Act. Such account shall be audited by such28 governing authority annually.29 SECTION 2.30 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.31 S. B. 317 - 2 -