HB367 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Reed IngramRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Montgomery Co., service of process fees for civil or criminal documents increased, distrib., exceptions

Summary

HB367 adds a $30 per-document service of process fee for Montgomery County civil and criminal cases, with most funds going to the county general fund and some to the circuit clerk, plus hardship waivers and certain exemptions.

What This Bill Does

If passed, it imposes a new one-time $30 service of process fee per document for both civil and criminal cases in Montgomery County's district and circuit courts. Of the collected fees, 10% stays with the circuit clerk to support the clerk's office, and the rest goes to the Montgomery County Commission to be deposited in the county general fund. The fee can be waived if the court finds a substantial hardship, with a verified hardship statement required. District attorneys, law enforcement, and grand juries are exempt from paying the fee, and the act applies only to Montgomery County with an effective date set after the governor signs it and it becomes law.

Who It Affects

• Parties or entities filing civil or criminal documents in Montgomery County courts who request service of process (they would pay $30 per document).
• Montgomery County Circuit Clerk's Office (collects the fee and allocates 10% to its own fund for operations).
• Montgomery County general fund (receives the remainder of the collected fees).
• District attorney's office, law enforcement, and grand juries (exempt from paying the fee).
• Individuals seeking relief who cannot afford the fee (may obtain a hardship waiver with court-approved documentation).

Key Provisions

• Adds a $30 one-time service of process fee per document for criminal and civil cases in Montgomery County district and circuit courts.
• The fee is split with 10% retained by the circuit clerk for the clerk's office and the remainder deposited with the Montgomery County Commission into the county general fund.
• The fee is not imposed if the court finds payment would create a substantial hardship; requires a verified statement from the requester approved by the court.
• Exempts the district attorney, law enforcement, and grand juries from paying the fee.
• Applying only to Montgomery County, with an effective date on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval (or when it becomes 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

Montgomery County