SB 245 Modifies the Sheriff's Retirement Fund court surcharge, and adds law school clinics to the list of entities who may qualify for a court cost waiver
Sponsor: Justus
LR Number: 1182H.03C Fiscal Note available
Committee: Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence
Last Action: 5/17/2013 - H Calendar S Bills for Third Reading w/HCS Journal Page:
Title: HCS SS SB 245 Calendar Position:
Effective Date: August 28, 2013
House Handler: Cox

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Current Bill Summary


HCS/SS/SB 245 - Currently, a three dollar court surcharge in all civil and criminal cases including cases for violation of county ordinances is collected and paid to the sheriff's retirement fund. This act changes the amount collected from three dollars to two dollars, and provides that the surcharge shall be collected in municipal ordinance violation cases as well (Sections 57.955 and 488.024).

This provision is substantially similar to SB 355 (2013), and identical to provisions contained in HCS/HB 424 (2013).

When a legal aid society, legal services, or a nonprofit organization represents an indigent party in a civil case, the court costs and expenses are waived without motion and court approval, provided that the organization has already determined the party is unable to pay the expenses and filed the determination with the court. This act adds law school clinics to the list of organizations who may waive court expenses without filing a motion with the court (Section 514.040).

This provision is identical to provisions contained in CCS/SS/SCS/HCS/HB 374 & 434 (2013) and CCS/HCS/SB 100 (2013).

JESSICA BAKER