SB21 Alabama 2010 1st Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Clay ScofieldPhillip W. WilliamsBill HoltzclawPaul BussmanShadrack McGillGreg J. ReedScott BeasonRusty GloverPaul SanfordTrip PittmanGerald H. AllenMark Slade Blackwell

Session

First Special Session 2010

Title

Ethics Commission, members, appointment and confirmation, investigation of complaints, subpoena power, post-investigation referral and status reports by Attorney General or district attorney, Secs. 36-25-3, 36-25-4, am'd.

Summary

The bill creates a dedicated fund to support Alabama Court Appointed Special Advocates by adding a $5 fee to original divorce filings and directing the proceeds to CASA programs.

What This Bill Does

It imposes a $5 fee on original divorce case filings, with the money deposited into the Alabama Court Appointed Special Advocates Fund. The fund, housed in the State Treasury, is administered by the Alabama CASA Network and funded to support CASA programs, including monthly disbursements to the network and ongoing record-keeping. It also requires annual funding and reporting by the CASA Board, with the measure taking effect a few months after passage.

Who It Affects

• People who file original divorce cases will pay a $5 fee as part of the court costs.
• The Alabama Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Network and its Board receive funding to support CASA programs and activities.
• State officials (State Treasurer and court clerks) manage, record, and disburse the funds and ensure monthly transfers to the CASA Network, along with requiring annual reporting.

Key Provisions

• Section 2 establishes the Alabama Court Appointed Special Advocates Fund in the State Treasury to fund and administer CASA programs, with interest deposited to the fund and administered by the state director under the CASA Network Board.
• Section 3 adds a five-dollar fee to each original divorce case filed, collected by the court clerk, deposited in the State Treasury no later than the 10th day of the following month, and credited to the Fund for the Network.
• Section 4 appropriates annually all proceeds deposited in the Fund to the Alabama CASA Network.
• Section 5 requires the CASA Network Board to annually report its transactions for the preceding year to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the House.
• Section 6 states the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Ethics Commission