Alabama HB 304: Relating to the Advanced Technology and Data Exchange Fund; expenditure of monies from the fund, creation of additional advanced technology and data exchange funds

Bill Text

HB304 INTRODUCED
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HB304
I3JDXWW-1
By Representatives Brinyark, Faulkner
RFD: Ways and Means General Fund
First Read: 21-Jan-26
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I3JDXWW-1 01/19/2026 GED (L)ma 2026-332
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First Read: 21-Jan-26
SYNOPSIS:
Under existing law, the funds from the Advanced
Technology and Data Exchange Fund may only be used for
specific purposes related to the administration of
justice.
This bill would allow the Administrative Office
of Courts to expend funds from the Advanced Technology
and Data Exchange Fund for the general operation of the
courts.
This bill would also create the Supreme Court
Advanced Technology and Data Exchange Fund, the Court
of Civil Appeals Advanced Technology and Data Exchange
Fund, and the Court of Criminal Appeals Advanced
Technology and Data Exchange Fund and provide for the
administration of those funds.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to the Advanced Technology and Data Exchange
Fund; to amend Section 12-19-290, Code of Alabama 1975, to
further provide for the expenditure of funds from the Advanced
Technology and Data Exchange Fund; and to create the Supreme
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Technology and Data Exchange Fund; and to create the Supreme
Court Advanced Technology and Data Exchange Fund, the Court of
Civil Appeals Advanced Technology and Data Exchange Fund, and
the Court of Criminal Appeals Advanced Technology and Data
Exchange Fund.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. Section 12-19-290, Code of Alabama 1975, is
amended to read as follows:
"§12-19-290
(a) The Administrative Office of Courts Advanced
Technology and Data Exchange Fund is created in the State
Treasury.
(b) The fund shall consist of all monies paid into the
State Treasury to the credit of the fund pursuant to Section
12-19-181 or by legislative appropriations, grant, gift, or
otherwise.
(c) Monies contained in the Advanced Technology and
Data Exchange Fund fund may be expended to provide for any
activities involving the administration of justice, including,
but not limited to, the following purposes:
(1) Expand methods and means for collection and
disbursement of court-ordered monies through the use of credit
cards, electronic fund transfers, or other means and provide
for electronic transfer of records and storage.
(2) Enhance coordination and sharing of data with
local, state, and federal agencies, members of the bar, and
the public.
(3) Provide equipment for electronically filing cases.
(4) Improve accountability for case filings and
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(4) Improve accountability for case filings and
dispositions.
(5) Train and educate employees and officials on the
state and municipal levels of the Unified Judicial System
regarding legal and administrative policies and procedures and
effective usage of the courts' management systems.
(6) Provide education materials including, but not
limited to, manuals, forms, handbooks, books, brochures, and
technology for legal research and case management for court
officials and employees and component groups of the legal
community.
(7) Provide staff, services, and equipment required to
maintain and expand technological improvements and conduct
continuing education and training in these areas.
(8) Provide for any other use by the Administrative
Office of Courts, as determined by the Administrative Director
of Courts, for the general operation of the courts in the
state.
(8)(9)a. Pay service charges, electronic transfer fees,
or any other transaction costs associated with subdivisions
(1) to (7)(8), inclusive.
b. All such costs shall be paid out of funds
appropriated to the Administrative Office of Courts Advanced
Technology and Data Exchange Fund and shall not reduce amounts
due to be distributed to other governmental funds or entities.
(d)(1) Subject to the adoption of uniform rules by the
Administrative Office of Courts, the clerks of the circuit and
district courts may accept credit cards, charge cards, or
debit cards issued from any bank, foreign lender, domestic
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debit cards issued from any bank, foreign lender, domestic
lender, or credit card bank as defined in Section 5-20-3 for
the payment of court costs, fees, fines, forfeitures,
judgments, restitution, attorney fees, any monies collected
and payable to individuals, businesses or partnerships, or any
person or entity or assessments of any kind. Any other
provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, the clerk of
the court or agent thereof accepting payment as provided for
in this subsection shall impose and collect a surcharge or
convenience fee in respect of payments made by credit card,
charge card, or debit card for any of the above in an amount
not exceeding the sum of the following:
a. theThe transaction fee or d