HB1083: HB1083 Madison County; Magistrate Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee

26 LC 47 3835/AP House Bill 1083 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE) By: Representatives Leverett of the 123rd and Powell of the 33rd A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the Magistrate Court of1 Madison County; to identify the authorized uses of such technology fee; to provide for the2 termination of such technology fee and dedication of residual f unds; to provide for a3 contingent effective date and automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to repeal4 conflicting laws; and for other purposes.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6 SECTION 1.7 (a) The clerk of the Magistrate Court of Madison County is hereby authorized to charge and8 collect a technology fee to be set by the chief magistrate in an amount not to exceed $10.009 for the filing of each civil action with the court and not to exceed $10.00 as a surcharge upon10 each fine assessed by the court. Such technology fees shall be used exclusively to provide11 for technological needs of the Magistrate Court of Madison County. Such uses shall include12 only the following:13 (1) Computer hardware, software, and accessory purchases;14 (2) Lease, maintenance, and installation of computer hardware;15 H. B. 1083 - 1 - 26 LC 47 3835/AP (3) Purchase, lease, maintenance, and installation of imaging, scanning, facsimile,16 communications, projection, and printing equipment and software; and17 (4) Procurement of services or equipment for the conversion of court records and archives18 to digital content for public access.19 (b) Funds collected pursuant to this section shall be maintained in a segregated account by20 the clerk of the magistrate court and shall be used only for th e purposes authorized in this21 section.22 (c) The authority to assess the technology fee pursuant to thi s Act shall terminate on23 July 1, 2031, and any residual funds remaining in the account established by subsection (b)24 of this section shall remain dedicated to general Madison County technology uses.25 SECTION 2.26 This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2026, provided that an Act to amend Article 5 of27 Chapter 10 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to fees and costs28 of magistrate courts, is enacted and approved providing that su ms and fees collected by29 magistrate courts that are authorized by law are in addition to other fees required by such30 article. If such Act is not so enacted and approved, this Act shall not become effective and31 shall be automatically repealed on July 1, 2026.32 SECTION 3.33 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.34 H. B. 1083 - 2 -