The bill amends Section 12-19-71 of the Code of Alabama 1975, concerning filing fees in civil cases. It introduces a provision that exempts certain motions for qualified domestic relations orders from filing fees if they are filed within 120 days of the final order. The bill also makes nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style, such as changing "which" to "that" and reformatting the list of actions that require a dispositive motion filing fee.

Specifically, the bill includes a new clause that states no filing fee may be collected for a motion for a qualified domestic relations order filed within the specified 120-day period post-final order. Additionally, the bill outlines the filing fees for various civil cases, including small claims, district court cases, and circuit court cases, with fees ranging from $35 to $297 depending on the type of case and the amount in controversy. It also specifies additional fees for each additional plaintiff in a case and for demanding a jury. The bill ensures that certain plaintiffs, such as those suing for loss of consortium as a spouse of a listed plaintiff, are not charged the fees outlined in subdivisions (8) and (9). The act is set to become effective on October 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 12-19-71, 12-19-71
Enrolled: 12-19-71, 12-19-71