HB395 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Dimitri Polizos

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Montgomery Co., civil service of process fee, collection by sheriff clarified, Act 2015-264, 2015 Reg. Sess., am'd.

Summary

HB395 would add a $30 per-document service of process fee in Montgomery County courts, specify how it is collected and distributed, and lay out exemptions and an hardship waiver.

What This Bill Does

It imposes an additional one-time $30 service of process fee per document for personal service by the Montgomery County Sheriff for matters in Montgomery County and for matters outside the county. The designated court official collects the fee; 10% stays with the circuit clerk for their office, and the rest goes to the Montgomery County General Fund via the County Commission. The fee can be waived if the court finds the payment would cause substantial hardship, based on a verified statement. District attorneys, law enforcement, and grand juries are exempt from paying the fee. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it becomes law.

Who It Affects

• Residents and others who require personal service of process in Montgomery County courts would pay a $30 fee per document.
• Persons with matters outside Montgomery County would also be charged $30 per document for personal service.
• The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office would be responsible for collecting the fee.
• The Montgomery County circuit clerk would receive 10% of the collected fees for their office; the remainder goes to the county general fund.
• District attorneys, law enforcement personnel, and grand juries are exempt from paying the fee.
• Individuals who can show substantial hardship may have the fee waived if approved by the court.

Key Provisions

• Adds an additional one-time service of process fee of $30 per document for personal service of process by the Sheriff of Montgomery County.
• Applies to documents for matters pending or commenced in Montgomery County or in a court outside Montgomery County.
• The designated court official collects the fee; 10% retained by the circuit clerk; the remainder deposited in the county general fund via the Montgomery County Commission.
• Fee not imposed if the court finds payment would create a substantial hardship, with a verified statement required.
• District attorneys, law enforcement, and grand juries are exempt from payment.
• Effective date: first day of the third month after passage/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

Montgomery County