HB716 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Ralph Howard
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Perry County, court costs, law enforcement defenders fee, collected on service of process in civil cases, distrib. general fund, Peace Officers Annuity and Benefit Fund, Solicitor's Fund, Sheriff's Fund
Summary: HB716 would add a new $10 law enforcement defenders service fee in Perry County civil cases, with the money split among several local and state funds.
What This Bill Does
It creates an additional $10 service fee for each Perry County defendant in circuit and district court civil cases where personal service is required, on top of the existing fees. The fee is due at filing unless a hardship exemption applies, which can be proven with a court-approved statement. The collected funds are distributed monthly: $3 to the county general fund, $3 to the Peace Officers Annuity and Benefit Fund, $2 to the Solicitors Fund, $1 to the Sheriff’s Fund, and the remaining amount to the State General Fund. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after governor approval.

Who It Affects
Defendants in Perry County circuit and district court civil cases (per defendant, an extra $10 fee when personal service is required).
Perry County government and county funds (receives portions of the new fee each month).
Law enforcement-related entities (Peace Officers Annuity and Benefit Fund and the Sheriff’s Fund, which receive designated portions).
The Solicitors Fund (receives a designated portion).
The State General Fund (receives the remaining portion).
Court clerks/filing offices (collect and process the new fee at filing).

Key Provisions
Creates a Perry County-specific law enforcement defenders fee of $10 for each defendant beyond the first in civil cases in Circuit and District Court when personal service is required.
The new fee is in addition to any existing service fees and is collected at filing, with a hardship exception allowing prepayment to be waived if the court finds substantial hardship.
Monthly distribution of the collected funds: $3 to the county general fund, $3 to the Peace Officers Annuity and Benefit Fund, $2 to the Solicitors Fund, $1 to the Sheriff’s Fund, and the balance to the State General Fund.
Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval (or as otherwise provided by law).

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