Section 12-19-290 Created; purposes; payments.
Section 12-19-290
Created; purposes; payments.
(a) The Advanced Technology and Data Exchange Fund is created in the State Treasury.
(b) The fund shall consist of all monies paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the fund pursuant to Section 12-19-181 or by legislative appropriations, grant, gift, or otherwise.
(c) Monies contained in the Advanced Technology and Data Exchange Fund may be expended to provide for any activities involving the administration of justice including, but not limited to, the following purposes:
(1) Expand methods and means for collection and disbursement of court-ordered monies through the use of credit cards, electronic fund transfers, or other means and provide for electronic transfer of records and storage.
(2) Enhance coordination and sharing of data with local, state, and federal agencies, members of the bar, and the public.
(3) Provide equipment for electronically filing cases.
(4) Improve accountability for case filings and dispositions.
(5) Train and educate employees and officials on the state and municipal levels of the Unified Judicial System regarding legal and administrative policies and procedures and effective usage of the courts' management systems.
(6) Provide education materials including, but not limited to, manuals, forms, handbooks, books, brochures, and technology for legal research and case management for court officials and employees and component groups of the legal community.
(7) Provide staff, services, and equipment required to maintain and expand technological improvements and conduct continuing education and training in these areas.
(8) Pay service charges, electronic transfer fees, or any other transaction costs associated with subdivisions (1) to (7), inclusive.
All such costs shall be paid out of funds appropriated to the Advanced Technology and Data Exchange Fund and shall not reduce amounts due to be distributed to other governmental funds or entities.
(d) The clerks of the circuit and district courts may accept credit cards or debit cards approved by the Administrative Director of Courts for the payment of court costs, fees, fines, forfeitures, or assessments. The following are specifically excluded from payment by credit cards or debit cards: Judgments, restitution, attorney fees, any monies collected and payable to individuals, businesses, partnerships, or any person or entity other than a governmental agency or department.
(e) The Administrative Director of Courts or any municipality may contract with any company that issues credit cards to collect and seize credit cards issued by any company that are outdated or otherwise unauthorized. The state or municipality may charge the company a fee for the return of the credit cards. Any fees collected pursuant to this subsection by state courts shall be deposited into the Advanced Technology and Data Exchange Fund and the fees collected by a municipal court shall be deposited into the general fund of the municipality.
(f) Procedures for implementing the provisions of Act 99-427 may be promulgated as Rules of Judicial Administration adopted by the Supreme Court of Alabama.
(g) At the end of any fiscal year, any unexpended or unencumbered monies contributed to or deposited in the fund from any source, except appropriations from other state funds, shall remain in the fund.
(Act 99-427, p. 759, §3.)