HB1485: HB1485 Union County; Probate Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee

26 LC 62 0336/AP House Bill 1485 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE) By: Representative Gunter of the 8th A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the Probate Court of Union1 County; to identify the authorized uses of such technology fee; to provide for the termination2 of such technology fee and dedication of residual funds; to pro vide for related matters; to3 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 Union County is hereby a uthorized to charge and7 collect a technology fee to be set by the judge of the probate court in an amount not to8 exceed $5.00 for the filing of each civil action with the court and not to exceed $5.00 as a9 surcharge upon each fine assessed by the court. Such technolog y fees shall be used10 exclusively to provide for technological needs of the Probate Court of Union County. Such11 uses shall include only 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. 1485 - 1 - 26 LC 62 0336/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 probate court, subject to audit by an auditor approved by the governing20 authority of Union County, and shall be used only for the purposes authorized in this 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to general Union County technology uses.24 SECTION 2.25 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.26 H. B. 1485 - 2 -