SB369 Alabama 2013 Session

Updated Feb 25, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Gerald O. Dial
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2013
Title: Clay Co., court costs, Clay Co. Commission no longer authorized to impose fee on municipal court cases, municipality authorized to assess and retain fee on cases filed in municipal court, distrib. to municipality's general fund, Sec. 45-14-80.03 am'd.
Summary: SB369 lets Clay County municipalities charge up to $50 in court fees on municipal court cases and keeps the money in the local general fund, while also detailing how county and municipal fees are collected and where they go.
What This Bill Does
The bill amends 45-14-80.03 to allow two optional fees: up to $50 on each civil and each criminal (including traffic) case in county courts (circuit, district, and any municipal court in Clay County) and up to $50 on each civil and each criminal case in municipal courts. These fees cannot be waived unless all other fees and charges are waived. Funds collected by district/circuit court clerks go to Clay County's General Fund; funds collected by municipal courts go to the respective municipality's General Fund. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after governor approval.

Who It Affects
Municipalities in Clay County: may impose up to a $50 fee on cases filed in their municipal courts, with the collected money staying in the municipality's general fund.
Clay County government and court clerks: when the new fees are collected by district/circuit court clerks, the money goes to Clay County General Fund; when collected by municipal courts, the money goes to the respective municipality's General Fund.

Key Provisions
County-wide option: Clay County Commission may impose up to $50 per civil or criminal (including traffic) case on those filed in circuit, district, or any municipal court in Clay County.
Municipality option: each municipality in Clay County may impose up to $50 per civil or criminal case on cases filed in its municipal court.
Waiver rule: these fees cannot be waived by the court unless all other fees, assessments, costs, fines, and charges in the case are waived.
Distribution of funds: fees collected by county courts go to Clay County General Fund; fees collected by municipal courts go to the respective municipality's General Fund.
Effective date: the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after governor approval.

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