SB21 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Larry MeansMayor

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Court costs, additional in original divorce cases, distrib. to Court Appointed Special Advocates Fund for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Network, annual report of transactions to Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the House of Representatives

Summary

SB21 would add a $5 court fee in original divorce cases to fund a new Alabama Court Appointed Special Advocates Fund that supports the Alabama CASA Network.

What This Bill Does

It adds a $5 fee to each original divorce case filed, collected by the court clerk and deposited into the Alabama Court Appointed Special Advocates Fund. The Fund is used to fund and administer CASA programs in Alabama and to provide continuous appropriations to the Alabama CASA Network. Funds are disbursed to the Network on the 20th of each month, and the Board must prepare an annual report on transactions.

Who It Affects

• People who file original divorce cases in Alabama would pay the new $5 fee; the fee money funds CASA programs.
• The Alabama CASA Network and its CASA programs across the state would receive ongoing funding from the Fund and be overseen by the Network Board and State Director.

Key Provisions

• Imposes a $5 fee on each original divorce case filed, collected by the court clerk, deposited in the State Treasury no later than the 10th day of the month after payment, and credited to the Alabama Court Appointed Special Advocates Fund.
• Establishes the Alabama Court Appointed Special Advocates Fund in the State Treasury to fund and administer CASA programs in the state and the Network; interest earned goes to the fund; administered by the state director under the Alabama CASA Network Board.
• All monies in the Fund shall be disbursed by the State Treasurer to the Network on the 20th day of each month.
• The Fund's proceeds are annually appropriated to the Alabama CASA Network for funding and administering CASA programs in the state.
• The Alabama CASA Network Board must annually report its transactions to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the House.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage and governor’s approval (or otherwise becomes law).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Court Costs