HB1172: HB1172 Spalding County; Magistrate Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee

This bill applies only to the Magistrate Court of Spalding County. It authorizes the court clerk to charge and collect a technology fee, set by the magistrate judge, of up to $15.00 for each civil action filed and up to $15.00 as a surcharge on each 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 audio-visual, imaging, scanning, and communications equipment, and paying for technical support services. The bill requires the fees to be kept in a separate account managed by the court clerk and spent only as directed by the chief judge. The bill also repeals any conflicting laws.

• Authorizes the clerk of the Magistrate Court of Spalding County to charge a technology fee of up to $15.00 on each civil case filed.
• Authorizes a separate surcharge of up to $15.00 on each fine assessed by the Magistrate Court of Spalding County.
• Limits use of the collected fees to specific technology purposes, including computer hardware and software, audio-visual and communications equipment, and technical support services.
• Requires the fees to be kept in a segregated account and spent only as directed by the chief judge of the court.
• Repeals any existing state laws that conflict with these new provisions.

People who file civil lawsuits in the Magistrate Court of Spalding County and people who are fined by that court would pay the new fee. The court clerk and chief judge would manage and direct the fee revenue for technology purchases.

Residents and businesses using Spalding County's Magistrate Court for civil cases or facing court fines would see an added cost of up to $15 per filing or fine. In exchange, the court would gain a dedicated funding source for computers, software, and related equipment.

• Section 1(a) sets the maximum technology fee at $15.00 per civil filing and a separate $15.00 maximum surcharge per fine, with the exact amount set by the magistrate judge.
• Section 1(a) restricts fee spending to four categories: computer hardware/software purchases, computer hardware leasing/maintenance/installation, audio-visual and related equipment and software, and technical support services.
• Section 1(b) requires the fee money to be kept in a segregated account managed by the clerk and spent only as the chief judge directs.
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-05-11Effective Date 2026-05-11
2. 2026-05-11Act 546
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
• magistrate court
• court technology