This bill amends the existing law regarding the use of funds collected from fines levied on defendants in district courts. It allows towns and cities to utilize these funds not only to defray the costs of incarcerating their prisoners but also to cover transportation costs and expenses related to the construction, maintenance, and operation of both town or city jails and county jails. Specifically, the bill introduces new provisions that clarify the allocation of these funds, ensuring they can be used for the transportation of prisoners to county jails as well.

Key changes in the bill include the removal of outdated language regarding the fines and the addition of specific uses for the collected funds. The bill specifies that the funds can be used for the construction, maintenance, and operation of jails, as well as for transporting prisoners, thereby broadening the scope of how these fines can be utilized to support local law enforcement and incarceration needs.

Statutes affected:
HB 1798: 16-17-129(a)