Madison County; Magistrate Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee

New technology fees for Madison court users

The law authorizes Madison County Magistrate Court to charge up to $10 per civil case filed and per fine assessed. The chief magistrate sets the amounts. The clerk must keep collections in a separate account used only for the court’s technology needs. Allowed uses include buying computers, software, and accessories; leasing, maintaining, and installing computer hardware; and buying or supporting document and communications equipment and software. Money can also pay for services or equipment to digitize court records and archives for public access. Fee authority ends July 1, 2031; leftover money remains reserved for general Madison County technology uses. The July 1, 2026, start requires enactment and approval of a separate law allowing authorized magistrate court charges in addition to other required fees. Without that separate law, this act does not take effect and is automatically repealed July 1, 2026.