SB177 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

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

Summary

This constitutional amendment would create the Alabama Court Cost Commission to review court costs, guide changes, and require voter approval before new or modified costs can take effect.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Alabama Court Cost Commission with specified membership including legislators, judges, court officials, and a lawyer; it requires the commission to review all existing court-cost laws to determine if costs are related to the court system and the expenses of adjudicating cases. The commission must recommend to the Legislature whether those laws or the way costs are distributed should be amended, repealed, or left unchanged. It also bans introducing new or modifying a court cost unless the proposal is first submitted to the commission for review, with defined timelines for submission and reporting, and it would put the amendment to a public vote before it becomes part of the Constitution.

Who It Affects

• People who pay court costs and use the court system, who may see changes in how much is charged or how funds are used after the commission's review.
• Judges, court staff, lawmakers, the Alabama State Bar, and other state and local officials involved in imposing, collecting, or overseeing court costs, who would participate in the commission and implement its findings.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Court Cost Commission and defines its membership (including House and Senate judiciary members, Chief Justice or appointee, Administrative Director of Courts, judges at various levels, circuit clerks, and a member of the Alabama State Bar).
• Requires the commission to review all laws that impose court costs or determine how those costs are distributed or earmarked, to ensure costs relate to the court system and to the actual expenses of adjudicating cases.
• The commission must provide recommendations to the Legislature on whether to amend, repeal, or leave unchanged any existing court-cost laws or their distributions.
• Prohibits introducing legislation to create or modify a court cost unless the proposal is submitted to the commission (and other specified officials) at least 30 calendar days before the first day of the session, and the commission must report its findings to the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate by the third legislative day of the session.
• Defines 'court cost' to include charges by a court related to filing, processing, or other actions in civil, criminal, juvenile, or traffic cases, but excludes probate costs, restitution, and punitive fines.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments