What's happening
This bill adds a $10 courthouse filing fee surcharge to fund courthouse security equipment and personnel.
Why it matters
Direct allocation of funds. The $10 surcharge is specifically earmarked for security equipment and the personnel operating it, ensuring the money cannot be used for other purposes within the courthouse or broader municipal budgets.
Potential impact on courthouse safety. By providing a dedicated funding stream, the bill may enable courthouses—especially those with limited budgets—to upgrade or maintain security systems, potentially reducing risks for court staff, jurors, and the public.
Cost burden on court users. The new fee applies to anyone filing the first paper in a case, meaning individuals and organizations seeking justice will face higher upfront costs, which could disproportionately affect low-income litigants or those involved in multiple court actions.
Long-term planning for security needs. The funding mechanism may allow for more predictable, ongoing investment in courthouse security, rather than relying on periodic budget allocations or emergency funding after incidents occur.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Add Courthouse Security Fee
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 38
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to judiciary
- Referred to judiciary
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3530
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 8, 2019
Introduced by Sen. CARLUCCI -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the uniform justice court act, in relation to imposing a filing fee surcharge to be used for the purposes of providing and maintaining security in courthouses
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subparagraph a of paragraph 1 of subdivision (a) of section 1911 of the uniform justice court act, as amended by chapter 489 of the laws of 2001, is amended to read as follows:
a. Upon the filing of the first paper in any action or proceeding, twenty dollars and an additional ten dollar surcharge which shall be used by the court for the sole purposes of maintenance of security equipment at the courthouse and payment of personnel to operate security equipment at the courthouse.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06256-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the uniform justice court act, in relation to imposing a filing fee surcharge to be used for the purposes of providing and maintaining security in courthouses
Purpose
This bill would allow for a justice court to use money collected through a surcharge to provide for additional security equipment and personnel
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Amends subparagraph a of paragraph 1 of subdivision (a) of section 1911 of the uniform justice court act to impose a filing fee of ten dollars for maintenance of security equipment at the courthouse and payment of personnel to operate security equipment at the courthouse.
Section 2. Effective date.
Justification
Many courthouses are experiencing heavy caseloads and are lacking the necessary funds to pay for security equipment and the personnel to oper- ate it. It is imperative that a courthouse be a safe and secure place for the judges and the people they serve. This bill will provide courts with a ten dollar filing fee from claimants to be used solely for secu- rity purposes.
Legislative history
2017-18: S701 - JUDICIARY 2015-16: S1751 - Judiciary 2013-14: S1997/A1304 - Judiciary Committee/Judiciary Committee 2011-12: S5177/A7325 - Judiciary Committee/Judiciary Committee
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.