HB491 Summary

• Imposes a $30 booking fee on each person booked into the Escambia County Detention Center and subsequently convicted of a crime.

• Court clerk shall assess and collect the fee upon conviction in the same manner and timeframe as court costs, though the fee is not classified as a court cost.

• All revenues from the booking fee shall be distributed to the Escambia County Sheriff's Department Law Enforcement Fund for salaries, training, operational expenses, or other law enforcement purposes as determined by the sheriff.

• District attorney may assist in collecting unpaid fees, and the sheriff may withhold funds held during incarceration to satisfy the booking fee; any withheld funds must be repaid if charges are dismissed or the defendant is acquitted.

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