SB256 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Court costs, district and circuit, forward to State Comptroller, Sec. 12-19-22 am'd.

Summary

SB256 would require circuit and district court clerks to forward all collected fines, fees, and court costs to the State Comptroller, who would deposit them to the correct fund and publish a monthly report.

What This Bill Does

The bill changes who handles court money. Clerks and registers must send all state-law fines, forfeitures, prepaid docket fees, costs, and other fees to the State Comptroller at least monthly by the 15th. The Comptroller would deposit these funds into the appropriate state treasury fund or agency and distribute them as required by law. The Comptroller would also maintain and publish a monthly report of all such collections. The rules apply to cases filed after January 16, 1977; cases filed before that date follow existing law. The act takes effect October 1, 2017.

Who It Affects

• Clerks and registers of the circuit and district courts – must forward all collected fines, forfeitures, prepaid docket fees, costs, and other fees to the State Comptroller monthly.
• State Comptroller – receives, deposits, and disburses the funds to the correct fund or agency and maintains the monthly reporting.
• State funds and agencies – will receive deposits from the Comptroller for the appropriate purposes as required by law.
• General public / oversight receivers – benefits from the monthly public report of all fines, fees, and costs collected.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 12-19-22 to require clerks and registers to forward all collected fines, forfeitures, prepaid docket fees, costs of court, and other fees to the State Comptroller at least once a month and by the 15th day.
• Monies received by the State Comptroller are deposited in the State Treasury to the credit of the appropriate fund or agency and remitted accordingly.
• The State Comptroller must maintain and make available a monthly report of all fines, fees, and court costs collected (per Section 12-1-19).
• The change applies to cases filed after January 16, 1977; cases filed before that date follow existing law.
• The act becomes effective October 1, 2017.

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

Subjects

Court Costs