HB83 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Matt SimpsonRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Mobile Co., court costs, additional in circuit and district court, judicial admin. funds established, distrib. for staffing of courts and circuit clerk's office

Summary

HB 83 would add new court fees in Mobile County to create a dedicated fund that hires more court staff and helps restore staffing in the circuit and district courts.

What This Bill Does

It adds specific new court costs: district court civil cases (excluding small claims) $25 and district court criminal cases (excluding traffic and juvenile) $25; circuit court civil cases (including domestic relations, but excluding protection from abuse and child support cases) $100 and circuit court criminal cases $100. It creates the Mobile County Preservation of Justice Fund to collect these fees, to be used to restore staffing in the circuit clerk’s office, the offices of the circuit and district judges, and the court administrator’s office, via a Memorandum of Understanding with the Administrative Office of Courts. The circuit clerk will remit collected funds to the fund by the last business day of the following month, and waivers may be granted for substantial hardship. The act does not require the county to spend funds beyond the proceeds, and it becomes law after the governor approves it.

Who It Affects

• Mobile County residents who file civil or criminal cases in district or circuit court will pay higher filing costs (specific amounts listed).
• Mobile County judiciary and court staff (circuit clerk’s office, circuit and district judges, and the court administrator) will receive funds to restore and increase staffing levels through the Preservation of Justice Fund and related MOUs with the Administrative Office of Courts.

Key Provisions

• Additional costs: district court civil (excluding small claims) $25; district court criminal (excluding traffic/juvenile) $25; circuit court civil (including domestic relations, excluding PAA and child support) $100; circuit court criminal $100.
• Creation of the Mobile County Preservation of Justice Fund to hold the new revenue.
• Funds used to restore staffing in the circuit clerk’s office, circuit and district judges’ offices, and the court administrator’s office, via an MOU with the AOC to hire additional staff (court specialists, attendants, law clerks, and Court Administrator staff) who are AOC employees with state benefits.
• Circuit Clerk must remit collected costs to the Fund by the last business day of the next month.
• Waivers or remissions of costs are allowed upon a sworn affidavit showing substantial hardship.
• County is not required to spend funds beyond the proceeds of the new fees deposited into the Fund.
• Effective date upon governor’s 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

Mobile County