Court technology fee could be made permanent

Five years ago, state courts were permitted to add a $2 technology fee on certain filings.

The fee, scheduled to sunset June 30, 2018, could be made permanent.

Rep. Debra Hilstrom

Sponsored by Rep. Debra Hilstrom (DFL-Brooklyn Center), HF3231 was held over Wednesday by the House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee for possible omnibus bill inclusion.

“The court was going to e-filing and doing all filing of cases online. All of the partners didn’t have access to new technology as well and there was no funding for those,” she said. “We created the fund to enable partners to apply for a grant to help make this transition go much smoother.”

Per statute, “funds may be used for the following purposes: acquisition, development, support, maintenance, and upgrades to computer systems, equipment and devices, network systems, electronic records, filings and payment systems, interactive video teleconferencing, and online services, to be used by the state courts and their justice partners.”

Hilstrom said the state’s judicial council has received 61 funding requests totaling about $8.85 million. Thus far, about $2.66 million has been awarded for 34 projects

A companion, SF2721, sponsored by Sen. Warren Limmer (R-Maple Grove), awaits action by the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee.