HB774: HB774 Dekalb County; Probate Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee

25 LC 47 3585/AP House Bill 774 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE) By: Representatives Crawford of the 89th, Drenner of the 85th, Mitchell of the 88th, Barnes of the 86th, Oliver of the 84th, and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the Probate Court of1 DeKalb County; to identify the authorized uses of such technolo gy 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 DeKalb 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 $5.00 for the filing of each civil action with the court. Such technology fees shall be9 used exclusively to provide for technological needs of the Probate Court of DeKalb County. 10 Such uses shall include only the following:11 (1) Computer hardware and software purchases;12 (2) Lease, maintenance, and installation of computer hardware and software;13 (3) Purchase, lease, maintenance, and installation of imaging, scanning, facsimile,14 communications, projection, and printing equipment and software; and15 H. B. 774 - 1 - 25 LC 47 3585/AP (4) Procurement of services and equipment for the conservation of court records and16 archiving the same to digital contents for public access.17 (b) Funds collected pursuant to this section shall be maintained in a segregated account by18 the clerk of the probate court and shall be used only for the p urposes authorized in this19 section.20 (c) The authority to assess the technology fee pursuant to thi s Act shall terminate on21 July 1, 2035, and any residual funds remaining in the account established by subsection (b)22 of this section shall remain dedicated to general DeKalb County technology uses.23 SECTION 2.24 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.25 H. B. 774 - 2 -