HB938: HB938 Tift County; Magistrate Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee

26 LC 62 0264/AP House Bill 938 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE) By: Representatives Ford of the 170th and O’Steen of the 169th A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the Magistrate Court of1 Tift County; to identify the authorized uses of such technology 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 Magistrate Court of Tift County is hereby authorized to charge and7 collect a technology fee to be set by the chief magistrate in an amount not to exceed $5.008 for the filing of each civil action with the court and not to exceed $5.00 as a surcharge upon9 each fine assessed by the court. Such technology fees shall be used exclusively to provide10 for technological needs of the Magistrate Court of Tift County. Such uses shall include only11 the following:12 (1) Computer hardware, software, and accessory purchases;13 (2) Lease, maintenance, and installation of computer hardware; 14 (3) Purchase, lease, maintenance, and installation of imaging, scanning, facsimile,15 communications, projection, and printing equipment and software; and16 H. B. 938 - 1 - 26 LC 62 0264/AP (4) Procurement of services or equipment for the conversion of court records and archives17 to digital content for public access.18 (b) Funds collected pursuant to this section shall be maintained in a segregated account by19 the clerk of the magistrate court and shall be used only for th e purposes authorized in this20 section.21 (c) The authority to assess the technology fee pursuant to thi s Act shall terminate on22 July 1, 2036, and any residual funds remaining in the account established by subsection (b)23 of this section shall remain dedicated to general Tift County technology uses.24 SECTION 2.25 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.26 H. B. 938 - 2 -