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HB 331

An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in budget and finance, further providing for expenses; in facilities and supplies, further providing for deposits into account; and, in access to justice, providing for performance audit of account.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tim Briggs and 23 co-sponsors

HB 331 modifies Pennsylvania court surcharges for facilities and supplies, adjusting how judicial system operations are funded through user fees.

Act No. 1 of 2026
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 331

Legislative bill overview

HB 331 amends Pennsylvania's judiciary statute to modify surcharge provisions related to court facilities and supplies. The bill's specific financial or structural changes are not detailed in the provided information, though it clearly targets how courts fund their operations and maintenance.

Why is this important

Court facility surcharges directly affect the costs litigants and defendants pay when using the judicial system, potentially impacting access to justice for lower-income individuals. Changes to these fees can influence court funding stability and operational capacity across Pennsylvania's judicial system.

Potential points of contention

  • Surcharge amount or scope: Unclear whether this increases, decreases, or restructures existing surcharges, which would affect different stakeholder groups differently
  • Access to justice concerns: Any increase in court fees raises equity issues, as higher costs may deter people from pursuing legitimate legal claims
  • Judicial funding trade-offs: Surcharge changes may shift burden between users, taxpayers, and the state budget for court operations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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