SB36 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

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

This bill clarifies when a hardship docket-fee waiver is considered filed and adds a 30-day payment deadline if hardship is denied.

What This Bill Does

It specifies that the hardship statement’s accompanying pleading is treated as filed on the date the hardship statement is filed. If the court determines there is no hardship, the plaintiff has 30 days to pay the docket fee, or the case will be dismissed. The bill maintains that if hardship exists, the docket fee can be waived initially and taxed as costs at the end, and the stay of proceedings continues until payment is made when required.

Who It Affects

• Civil plaintiffs who claim financial hardship when paying the circuit or district court docket fee (waiver applicants).
• Clerks of court and judges in circuit and district courts who process hardship statements, determine hardship, and enforce payment deadlines and potential dismissal.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 12-19-70 to treat the accompanying hardship statement as filed on the date the hardship statement is filed with the court.
• If the court finds no substantial hardship, the plaintiff has 30 days to submit payment of the docket fee or the case will be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction, with a stay of proceedings until payment in effect.
• If hardship exists, the docket fee may be waived initially and taxed as costs at the end of the case, under existing framework.

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