COURTS/COURT COSTS: Provides for the assessment of a fee for filing civil and criminal matters (EN +$694,384 SG RV See Note)
HB 644 increases court filing fees for both civil and criminal cases from $1 to $2 per filing. This change directly affects individuals and businesses submitting legal documents to courts, as they will pay an additional $1 per case. The bill implements this fee increase through two specific amendments to the current fee structure. The legislation is currently scheduled for floor debate in the upcoming session.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Apr 22, 2025
Signed Jun 11, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
HB644 Original
→
HB644 Act 299
·
5 edits
MODERATE
This bill increases court filing fees for civil cases and traffic violations from $1.50 to $2.50. It also adds a new requirement that one-third of the collected funds must be used specifically for the Judicial College's growth and program improvement, while the remainder is directed toward judicial ethics education and enforcement. The changes become effective on January 1, 2026, pending approval from the Judicial Council.
Scope change
The bill applies to all civil filings and traffic matters (felonies, misdemeanors, and violations) in state courts, including mayor's courts.
FISCAL
Increased the additional court cost fee for initial civil filings and traffic matters from $1.50 to $2.50.
Mandated that one-third of the collected funds be used solely for the Judicial College's general growth and program improvement strategies.
Directed the remaining two-thirds of funds to support judicial ethics education, investigation, and enforcement efforts.
TIMELINE
Established an effective date of January 1, 2026, contingent on Judicial Council approval.
REQUIREMENT
Required an annual audit of the collected funds to be filed with the legislative auditor for public inspection.
Floor votes · Senate Jun 8, 2025 · House May 28, 2025
How they voted
35–1
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 37
Jun 8, 2025
D
Democratic11
100% Yea
R
Republican26
92% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
19
Key actions
5
Committee
3
Jun 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Read by title, roll called, yeas 101, nays 0. The Senate amendments, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, were concurred in.
lower
Jun 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Rules suspended. The amended bill was read by title, passed by a vote of 37 yeas and 1 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
Jun 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported with amendments. Rules suspended. Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
upper
May 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 93, nays 0. The bill, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, was finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
lower
May 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported with amendments (14-0).
lower
Apr 23, 2025
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Chad Brown
DDemocratic
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