Bill > HB0547

This bill amends Tennessee law to require court clerks to add a $12.50 charge to every misdemeanor and felony cost bill, which will be remitted to the county government or the district attorneys general conference (depending on the judicial district). The collected funds are to be used at the sole discretion of the district attorney general for promoting public safety, and are intended to provide supplemental funding for the district attorney's office. The bill specifies that the new charge will only take effect if approved by a two-thirds vote of the county legislative body, and it does not apply to nonmoving traffic violations. Additionally, the bill mandates that any district attorney general receiving these funds must submit an annual report to the district attorneys general conference by January 1, detailing the amount of costs collected and how the funds were used. The conference must then provide an aggregate report to key legislative committee chairs by February 15. The funds collected are meant to supplement, not replace, existing funding for district attorneys, and will not take priority over restitution or criminal injuries compensation fund collections.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0547&ga=114