Bill permitting $5 technology fee for Clinch County magistrate court filings advances through Georgia Legislature

A recently approved measure from State Sen. Russ Goodman would authorize Clinch County to implement a technology fee on magistrate court filings and convictions, after receiving passage in both the House and Senate, according to the Georgia State Senate.

The legislation passed both chambers as of Friday, Feb. 6, securing a 165-0 vote in the House and a 43-1 vote in the Senate.

Filed as SB317 on Friday, Feb. 28 during the 2026 session of the 158th General Assembly, the bill is formally titled: ’Magistrate Court of Clinch County; assessment and collection of a technology fee; authorize’.

Here is our summary based on the actual bill text, providing interpretation for clarity.

The legislation gives Clinch County’s governing authority the ability to set a technology fee up to $5 for filings and convictions in the Magistrate Court of Clinch County. Applicable to civil actions, estate filings, convictions, and fines as a surcharge, the fee is charged once per party per case, with affidavits of indigency exempted. Fees are managed by the clerk, remitted monthly, and used for court technology needs like hardware, software, and digital record keeping. Funds remain in a separate account, can be merged with probate court funds if judgeships are combined, and are subject to annual audits. Any conflicting statutes are repealed.

In the Senate, 17 Democrats and 26 Republicans voted in favor, with one Republican against.

In the House, 73 Democrats and 92 Republicans supported the bill; there were no opposing votes.

Rep. John Corbett (Republican-174th) served as co-sponsor.

Goodman holds a BS from the University of Georgia.

A Republican, Goodman began serving Georgia’s 8th Senate District in 2021, following former senator Ellis Black.

Gov. Brian Kemp signed the bill into law on Monday, May 11.

The legislative process in Georgia starts when a legislator, often responding to a constituent, collaborates with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft a proposal. Once filed with the respective chamber, it is first read, undergoes committee review for debate and examination, and then, if approved, is read a third time, debated, and voted upon. For enactment, the bill needs approval from both chambers, may go through a conference committee if versions differ, and then heads to the governor. The governor has six days during session—or up to 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die)—to sign, veto, or allow the measure to become law without a signature. The Georgia General Assembly conducts its legislative session annually for 40 days, starting the second Monday in January.

Information in this article was sourced from the Georgia State Senate. The source data is available here.