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Bill Summary · HB 785

Summary of House Bill 785 (HB 785)

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 785 (HB 785) aims to authorize the Probate Court of Crawford County, Georgia, to assess and collect a technology fee. This fee is intended to support the technological needs of the court, thereby enhancing its operational efficiency and public accessibility.

Key Provisions

  • Technology Fee Authorization:

    • The Probate Court clerk is permitted to charge a technology fee of up to $5.00 for each civil action filed and an additional $5.00 surcharge on each fine assessed by the court.

  • Authorized Uses of the Fee:

    • The collected fees must be used exclusively for specific technological enhancements, including:
    • Purchase of computer hardware, software, and accessories.
    • Lease, maintenance, and installation of computer hardware.
    • Acquisition of imaging, scanning, facsimile, communications, projection, and printing equipment and software.
    • Services or equipment for converting court records and archives to digital formats for public access.

  • Account Management:

    • Funds collected will be maintained in a segregated account by the clerk of the probate court and can only be used for the purposes outlined in the bill.

  • Termination of Fee:

    • The authority to collect this technology fee will terminate on July 1, 2035. Any remaining funds in the account after this date will be redirected to general technology uses within Crawford County.

  • Repeal of Conflicting Laws:

    • The bill includes a provision to repeal any laws that conflict with its provisions.

Affected Parties

  • Crawford County Probate Court: The court will benefit from enhanced technological capabilities, improving its efficiency and service delivery.
  • Court Users: Individuals filing civil actions or paying fines will incur the technology fee, which may impact their overall costs associated with court services.

Legislative Timeline

  • Introduced: March 18, 2025
  • House Passed: March 27, 2025
  • Senate Passed: March 31, 2025
  • Signed by Governor: April 30, 2025
  • Effective Date: April 30, 2025

Related Legislation

  • SB 643: A companion bill that may address similar issues or provisions related to technology fees or court operations.

This summary provides an overview of HB 785, highlighting its purpose, key provisions, and the impact it may have on the Crawford County Probate Court and its users.

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

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