HB377 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Matt SimpsonRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Courts, Alabama Court Cost Commission, established, const. amend.

Summary

HB 377 would create the Alabama Court Cost Commission to review court costs and require its review before any new or amended court costs can be proposed, with the constitution to be amended accordingly.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Alabama Court Cost Commission and specifies its diverse membership, including legislators, judges, court officials, and a member of the Alabama Bar. The commission would evaluate existing court costs to determine if they are reasonably related to the court system and the costs of adjudication, and it would recommend whether each cost should be amended, repealed, or left unchanged. It also prevents the introduction of new or modified court costs unless the proposal is submitted to the commission 30 days before the legislative session and the commission provides a recommendation by the early session date. Additionally, the measure defines what counts as a 'court cost' and sets the process for how the constitutional amendment would be decided via an voter election.

Who It Affects

• People who pay court costs in Alabama courts (e.g., plaintiffs, defendants) because the commission's review could influence which costs exist and how much they are, by recommending changes.
• Lawmakers, judges, court administrators, lawyers, and other state officials because they participate in the commission, may propose costs only after review, and must follow the commission's recommendations.

Key Provisions

• Section establishing the Alabama Court Cost Commission with specific membership: House and Senate judiciary members, Chief Justice or appointee, Administrative Director of Courts or appointee, circuit/district/municipal judges, circuit clerk, and a member of the Alabama Bar; and provisions for chair, vice-chair, secretary, compensation, and legislative staff support.
• Definition of 'court cost' to include costs charged by courts in civil, criminal, juvenile, or traffic cases related to filing, processing, or other court actions, but excluding probate costs, court-imposed restitution, or punitive fines.
• Duty to review all existing court costs to assess their relation to the court system and the amount expended, with recommendations to the Legislature on whether to amend, repeal, or leave unchanged.
• Requirement that proposed new or amended court cost legislation be submitted in writing to the Commission at least 30 days before the session, with the Commission required to review and report its findings by the third legislative day of the session.
• Election-related provisions: the measure requires a public vote to approve the constitutional amendment and outlines ballot language describing the proposed changes.

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

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments