HB938 allowing Tift County Magistrate Court tech fee clears Georgia legislature

The bill introduced by State Rep. Jaclyn Ford to permit Tift County Magistrate Court to collect a technology fee for specific technology needs received approval in both chambers, the Georgia State House reported.

As of Tuesday, Feb. 17, the proposal was approved in both chambers with a 165-0 vote in the House and a 48-1 vote in the Senate.

Filed as HB938 on Monday, Jan. 12 during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, the legislation was formally described as: ’Tift County; Magistrate Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee’.

Below is a summary of the measure based on the bill’s text, with clarification provided for understanding.

The bill gives the Tift County Magistrate Court clerk the authority to assess a technology fee of up to $5 per civil case filing and an additional $5 surcharge on each fine. Collected funds are limited to technology-related court expenses, such as purchasing, leasing, implementing, or maintaining computer hardware, software, imaging devices, and communication systems, or to digitize court records for public access. All fees must be deposited into a designated account and used only for outlined technology purposes. The authorization to charge the fee ends July 1, 2036. Any unused funds after that date remain earmarked for general technology projects in Tift County.

Support for the bill in the House included 73 Democrats and 92 Republicans, with no opposition votes.

The Senate passage included 19 Democratic and 29 Republican votes in favor, with one Republican voting against.

Rep. Angie O’Steen (Republican-169th) joined as a co-sponsor.

Ford is a graduate of the University of Georgia.

Ford, a Republican, was elected in 2025 to represent Georgia’s 170th House District, succeeding Penny Houston in the State House.

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

In Georgia, the legislative process commences with a lawmaker drafting a bill, occasionally in response to constituent requests, in consultation with the Office of Legislative Counsel. The bill is filed with the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate, read for the first time, then assigned to a committee for review and discussion. If advanced by the committee, the bill is considered on the floor for a third reading, debate, and a vote. Bills must be approved by both the House and Senate, and reconciled if amended, before reaching the governor. The governor then has six days during session—or 40 days following adjournment (Sine Die)—to sign, veto, or let the bill become law without signing. The General Assembly conducts its annual 40-day session beginning on the second Monday in January.

Information for this article was obtained from the Georgia State House. Source data is available here.