HB 624: Carroll County; State Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee

This bill applies only to Carroll County. It authorizes the clerk of the State Court of Carroll County to charge a technology fee, set by the state court judge, of no more than $15 for filing each civil lawsuit and no more than $15 as a surcharge added to fines the court imposes. The money collected can only be spent on the court's technology needs, such as buying or leasing computer hardware and software, maintaining scanning and printing equipment, or converting paper court records into digital files. The funds must be kept in a separate account managed by the clerk and can be audited by an auditor approved by Carroll County's governing authority. The bill sets an end date: the authority to collect this fee stops on July 1, 2035, after which any leftover money stays dedicated to general Carroll County technology purposes.

• Authorizes the State Court of Carroll County's clerk to charge a technology fee of up to $15 on each civil case filed with the court.
• Authorizes a separate surcharge of up to $15 on each fine the court assesses, also capped at $15.
• Restricts use of the fee money to specific technology purchases, including computer equipment, software, scanning and printing gear, and digitizing court records.
• Requires the fee money to be kept in a segregated account subject to audit by a Carroll County approved auditor.
• Sets July 1, 2035 as the date the fee authority ends, with leftover funds staying dedicated to Carroll County technology uses.
• Repeals any existing laws that conflict with this new fee authorization.

People who file civil lawsuits in the State Court of Carroll County and people fined by that court would pay the new fee or surcharge. The court clerk, the state court judge, and Carroll County's governing authority and its approved auditor would also be involved in setting, collecting, and overseeing the funds.

Carroll County residents involved in civil court cases or facing fines would pay a small additional cost, up to $30 combined, that funds court technology upgrades like digital record conversion and equipment. The dedicated account and 2035 sunset date limit how long and how broadly the money can be used.

• Section 1(a) sets the technology fee cap at $15 for civil filings and a separate $15 cap as a surcharge on fines, with the state court judge setting the exact amount.
• Section 1(a) limits fee spending to four categories: computer hardware and software, equipment maintenance and installation, imaging and communications equipment, and digitizing court records.
• Section 1(b) requires the funds to be held in a segregated account subject to audit by a county approved auditor.
• Section 1(c) terminates the fee authority on July 1, 2035 and directs any remaining funds toward general Carroll County technology uses.
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-05-13Effective Date 2025-05-13
2. 2025-05-13Act 157
3. 2025-05-13House Date Signed by Governor (Cámara de Representantes)
4. 2025-04-07House Sent to Governor (Cámara de Representantes)
5. 2025-03-21Senate Passed/Adopted (Senado)
6. 2025-03-21Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senado)
7. 2025-03-11Senate Read and Referred (Senado)
8. 2025-03-10House Passed/Adopted (Cámara de Representantes)

• Tyler Smith (R, HD-018)Patrocinador principal
• David Huddleston (R, HD-072)
• Jutt Howard (R, HD-071)
• Lynn Smith (R, HD-070)

1. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes10 de marzo de 2025

   165 a favor, 0 en contra (8 sin votar, 7 ausentes)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #270

2. AprobadaVotación: Senado21 de marzo de 2025

   53 a favor, 0 en contra (2 sin votar, 1 ausentes)

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #265

• court fees
• Carroll County
• local legislation
• court technology