Bill > AB1524

This bill amends existing California law regarding court fees and records, introducing several key provisions. It prohibits courts from charging fees that exceed the actual cost of providing a service or product, and requires any fee not explicitly authorized by statute or rule to be approved by the Judicial Council. The bill mandates that the Judicial Council submit detailed reports to the Legislature by December 1, 2027, 2028, and 2029, describing court fees, their costs, revenues, and usage for specific fiscal years. Regarding court records, the bill requires electronic records to be viewable at the court and allows members of the public to use their own equipment to view and duplicate records on court premises without being charged fees, with some reasonable restrictions to protect record safety and court operations. The bill aims to ensure transparency in court fee structures and improve public access to court records while preventing courts from generating revenue beyond their actual service costs. The changes apply to superior courts and are part of ongoing efforts to standardize and regulate court administrative practices.

Budget and Finance, Justice

Judiciary (A)

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1524