SB 824 Summary

• Repeals authority to collect numerous criminal justice administrative fees (booking, processing, probation supervision, home detention, work furlough programs) effective July 1, 2021, making unpaid balances unenforceable and uncollectible.

• Eliminates court authority to impose liens on defendants' property and conduct post-trial determinations of ability to pay for public defender costs, requiring public defense services be provided without charge to all indigent defendants.

• Vacates any existing judgments imposing the repealed fees and makes outstanding debt from these fees unenforceable as of July 1, 2021.

• Appropriates $50,000 to the Department of Finance for implementation and $65,000,000 annually to the Controller from 2021-22 through 2025-26 fiscal years for allocation to counties to backfill lost fee revenues.

• Treats bill as budget-related legislation taking effect immediately, with future legislation expected to determine final county funding allocation methodology.