HB157 Summary

• Proposes a constitutional amendment to establish the Alabama Court Cost Commission with 10 members representing legislative, judicial, clerical, and bar associations.

• Requires the commission to review all existing court cost laws to determine if costs are reasonably related to court operations and if amounts are proportionate to adjudication expenses.

• Mandates the commission provide recommendations to the Legislature on whether existing court cost laws should be amended, repealed, or left unchanged.

• Prohibits introduction of legislation creating new or modifying existing court costs unless the proposed legislation is first submitted to the commission for review at least 30 days before the legislative session.

• Amendment requires voter approval and calls for the commission to submit findings reports to the House Clerk and Senate Secretary by the third legislative day of each session.