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SB 673

Courthouse construction: filing fee surcharges.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh and 1 co-sponsor

California imposes court filing fee surcharges to fund courthouse construction and renovation projects statewide, creating a dedicated revenue source but increasing access costs for litigants.

Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 75, Statutes of 2025.
#courthouseconstruction #filingfeesurcharges
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Bill Summary · SB 673

Legislative bill overview

SB 673 establishes surcharges on court filing fees in California to fund courthouse construction and renovation projects. The bill creates a dedicated revenue stream from the judicial system to support physical infrastructure improvements across the state's court facilities.

Why is this important

Courthouses are critical public infrastructure where citizens access justice, and many California facilities are aging or overcrowded. This bill provides a mechanism to generate ongoing funding for necessary capital improvements without requiring separate general fund appropriations or bond measures, though it increases costs for individuals and businesses using the court system.

Potential points of contention

  • Regressive impact: Filing fee surcharges disproportionately affect lower-income individuals and small businesses who cannot absorb increased court access costs, potentially creating barriers to justice
  • Funding mechanism concerns: Some argue courthouse infrastructure should be funded through general taxation rather than surcharges on court users, as this creates a "user fee" for a public service
  • Scope and oversight: Questions may arise about how surcharge revenues are allocated, which projects receive priority, and whether there is adequate public oversight of spending decisions

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

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