HB703 Summary

• Imposes a $35 filing fee on each bail bond executed, paid by the bondsman or surety at execution or by next business day, with failure to pay resulting in contempt of court and $500+ fine.

• Requires defendants to pay bail bond fees ranging from $100-$450 for misdemeanors (3.5% of bond value or minimum/maximum amount) and $150-$750 for felonies, with reduced $25 fee for judicial public bail or recognizance bonds.

• Exempts bonds for nonmoving traffic and speeding violations from all fees; waives fees for defendants acquitted (not guilty finding).

• Distributes filing fees with 10% to sheriff's fund, 45% to court clerk's fund, and 45% to solicitor's fund; distributes bail bond fees with $17 to sheriff's fund, 35% to clerk's fund, 35% to solicitor's fund, 20% to state general fund, and 10% to Alabama Forensic Services Trust Fund.

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