HB474 Summary

• Establishes an additional $50 court cost in all civil, criminal, and traffic cases in Lee County's district, circuit, and juvenile courts, excluding protection from abuse cases.

• Distributes the additional court costs as follows: 50% to the Lee County Circuit Clerk's Fund, 40% to the District Attorney's Fund for law enforcement expenses, and 10% to the Judicial Fund of the Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit.

• Allows circuit or district judges to waive or remit the court costs upon a showing of substantial financial hardship.

• Specifies that the additional court costs shall not diminish or replace other funding sources for the circuit clerk's office, district attorney's office, or court operations.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.