HB 5488 Summary

• Extends until October 1, 2022 the authority for courts to impose costs reasonably related to actual trial court operating expenses, including salaries, goods, services, and facility maintenance, without separately calculating case-specific costs.

• Requires courts to provide defendants with information about imposed fines, costs, and assessments, though detailed cost calculations for individual cases are not required.

• Mandates court clerks submit annual reports to the state court administrative office by March 31 detailing the number of cases where such costs were imposed, total amounts imposed, and total amounts collected.

• Requires the state court administrative office to compile and submit annual reports to the governor and legislature by July 1, with public availability through the legislature.

• Prohibits imprisonment for nonpayment of court costs unless the court determines the defendant has resources to pay and has not made a good-faith payment effort.