MS HB1654

Circuit judges and chancellors receive a $15,000 annual office operating allowance for expenses including law clerks, legal research, office rent, and equipment, plus $130,000 per fiscal year for support staff through the Administrative Office of Courts.

The Judicial System Operation Fund, administered by the Supreme Court through the Administrative Office of Courts, receives court fees and may only be used for judicial system operations and supplementing judicial salaries as appropriated by the Legislature.

A portion of Supreme Court filing fees are directed to the Judicial System Operation Fund, including $100 of the $200 general docket fee, $25 of the $50 miscellaneous docket fee, and $50 of forfeited deposits on completed records.

Chancery court clerks receive increased allowances effective January 1, 2028: $5,000 annually for board of supervisors meeting attendance (up from $2,500) and $10,000 for other board services (up from $5,500), with $40 of each civil case filing deposited to the Judicial System Operation Fund.

Circuit court clerks charge $85 for filing complaints, petitions, and indictments, with $40 of each civil case filing deposited to the Judicial System Operation Fund and $10 to the Comprehensive Electronic Court Systems Fund.