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Bill

HB 1337

Courts; retention and expenditure of passport application and processing fees by clerks of superior courts and probate court judges; provide

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stan Gunter and 4 co-sponsors

Georgia bill allows local courts to keep passport processing fees instead of sending revenue to state treasury, decentralizing control of judicial passport service income.

House Second Readers
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Bill Summary · HB 1337

Legislative bill overview

HB 1337 allows Georgia clerks of superior courts and probate court judges to retain and directly expend passport application and processing fees rather than remitting them to the state. Currently, these fees are collected by local court officials but turned over to the state treasury for centralized management.

Why is this important

This change affects how passport service revenue flows through Georgia's government. Local courts would gain direct control over fee revenue, potentially allowing faster local spending on court operations, but the state loses centralized oversight of these funds and their allocation.

Potential points of contention

  • Revenue control: Shifting fee revenue from state to local level may reduce the state's flexibility in budgeting and funding statewide judicial priorities
  • Equity concerns: Different courts may retain varying amounts of fees, potentially creating funding disparities between wealthy and less-wealthy judicial districts
  • Accountability: Decentralized expenditure of public funds requires clear oversight mechanisms to ensure fees are spent appropriately and transparently

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

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