SB407 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Court costs, docket fee, waiver for substantial hardship, verified statement required, time period to pay up denial of hardship petition, Sec. 12-19-70 am'd.

Summary

SB407 clarifies when a hardship docket-fee waiver is filed and adds a 30-day payment rule if hardship isn’t found.

What This Bill Does

It preserves the option to waive the docket fee for financial hardship, with the waived amount potentially taxed as costs at the end of the case. It states that the filing date for the hardship statement is the date the statement is filed with the court. It requires that if the court determines no hardship exists, the party has 30 days to pay the docket fee or the case will be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.

Who It Affects

• Plaintiffs who file civil complaints and seek a waiver of the docket fee due to financial hardship, by submitting a hardship statement.
• Courts in circuit and district courts that handle these filings and must apply the hardship determination and dismissal rule.

Key Provisions

• The accompanying pleading for the hardship statement is considered filed on the date the hardship statement is filed with the court.
• If hardship is found, the docket fee may be waived initially and taxed as costs at the end of the case, with the hardship statement approved by the court.
• If no hardship exists, the party has 30 days to submit payment of the docket fee or the case shall be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.

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