HB1170: HB1170 Spalding County; State Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee

Currently the State Court of Spalding County has no specific authority to charge a dedicated technology fee. This bill creates that authority. It lets the court's clerk charge and collect a fee, set by the state court judge, of up to $15 for each civil case filed and up to $15 as a surcharge on every fine the court assesses. The money collected can only be used for the court's technology needs, such as buying or leasing computer hardware and software, maintaining and installing audio-visual and communications equipment, and paying for technical support services. The funds must be kept in a separate account managed by the clerk and spent only as the chief judge directs. The bill also repeals any conflicting laws.

• Authorizes the clerk of the State Court of Spalding County to charge up to $15 for filing each civil action.
• Authorizes a surcharge of up to $15 on each fine assessed by the State Court of Spalding County.
• Restricts use of the collected fees to specific technology purposes such as computer hardware, software, audio-visual equipment, and technical support services.
• Requires the fees to be kept in a segregated account managed by the clerk and spent only as directed by the chief judge.
• Repeals any existing laws that conflict with this new fee authorization.

The bill affects people who file civil lawsuits in the State Court of Spalding County and people who are fined by that court, since both groups may pay the new fee. It also affects the court's clerk and chief judge, who manage and direct the collected funds.

Georgians who file civil cases or receive fines in Spalding County's state court could pay up to an extra $30 combined in fees. In exchange, the court gains a dedicated funding stream for computers, software, and related technology, separate from its general budget.

• Section 1(a) authorizes the clerk to charge up to $15.00 per civil filing and up to $15.00 as a surcharge on each fine, with the exact amount set by the state court judge.
• Section 1(a) lists the only allowed uses: computer hardware and software purchases, leasing and maintenance of hardware, audio-visual and communications equipment, and technical support services.
• Section 1(b) requires the fees to be held in a segregated account controlled by the clerk and spent only as directed by the chief judge.
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-05-11Effective Date 2026-05-11
2. 2026-05-11Act 545
3. 2026-05-11House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2026-04-06House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2026-02-24Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2026-02-24Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
7. 2026-02-17Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
8. 2026-02-12House Passed/Adopted (House)

• Beth Camp (R, HD-135)Primary sponsor
• Karen Mathiak (R, HD-082)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 12, 2026

   156 yea, 0 nay (11 not voting, 8 absent)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #506

2. PassedSenate voteFebruary 24, 2026

   53 yea, 0 nay (1 not voting, 1 absent)

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #571

• court fees
• Spalding County
• local legislation
• court technology funding