HB316 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Juandalynn GivanRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Municipal courts, to provide minimum guidelines for the handling of court costs, fees, and fines in municipal courts

Summary

HB316 would set minimum guidelines for how municipal courts handle court costs, fees, and fines, require receipts, and impose penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

The Department of Examiners of Public Accounts, in consultation with the Administrative Office of Courts, would prescribe minimum guidelines for handling court costs, fees, and fines in municipal courts. The guidelines must require that municipal courts do not accept cash payments and must provide receipts for payments. Municipal courts must annually certify to the Administrative Office of Courts that they are in compliance, and the Administrative Office of Courts can impose civil penalties up to $100 for noncompliance, with penalties going to the State General Fund.

Who It Affects

• Municipal courts in Alabama, which must follow the new guidelines, issue receipts for payments, stop accepting cash payments, and face potential civil penalties if noncompliant.
• State-level oversight agencies (Department of Examiners of Public Accounts and Administrative Office of Courts), which will create the guidelines, collect certification of compliance, and administer penalties.

Key Provisions

• The Department of Examiners of Public Accounts, in consultation with the Administrative Office of Courts, shall prescribe minimum guidelines for handling court costs, fees, and fines in municipal courts.
• Guidelines must include that municipal courts may not accept cash for payments and must provide receipts for any payments toward court costs, fees, and fines.
• Each municipal court must annually certify to the Administrative Office of Courts that it is in compliance with the guidelines.
• The Administrative Office of Courts shall levy a civil penalty of up to $100 against a municipal court that fails or willfully refuses to comply, with penalties paid into the State General Fund.
• The act becomes effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Court, Municipal