HB935: HB935 Thomas County; Probate Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee

26 LC 47 3761/AP House Bill 935 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE) By: Representatives Cannon of the 172nd and Taylor of the 173rd A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the Probate Court of1 Thomas 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 Thomas 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 Thomas10 County. Such uses shall include only the following:11 (1) Computer hardware and software purchases;12 (2) Lease, maintenance, and installation of computer hardware; and13 (3) Purchase, lease, maintenance, and installation of imaging, scanning, facsimile,14 communications, projection, and printing equipment and software.15 H. B. 935 - 1 - 26 LC 47 3761/AP (b) Funds collected pursuant to this section shall be maintained in a segregated account by16 the clerk of the probate court, subject to audit by an auditor approved by the governing17 authority of Thomas County, and sh all be used only for the purp oses authorized in this18 section.19 (c) The authority to assess the technology fee pursuant to thi s Act shall terminate on20 July 1, 2031, and any residual funds remaining in the account established by subsection (b)21 of this section shall remain dedicated to general Thomas County technology uses; provided,22 however, that, if the Probate Court of Thomas County determines there to be a surplus of23 such funds, the judge of said court may declare a surplus once a year and transfer such24 surplus to the governing authority of Thomas County.25 SECTION 2.26 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.27 H. B. 935 - 2 -