REVISED
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
RS31052 / S1276
This is one of a series of bills the Supreme Court has recommended in its annual report to the Governor
concerning defects or omissions in the laws, as required by article V, section 25 of the Idaho Constitution.
Idaho Code § 31-3221 requires the assessment of an electronic payment convenience fee when a debt owed
to the court is paid with a debit or credit card. This statute also directs that the convenience fee be deposited
into the court technology fund created by I.C. § 1-1623. Pursuant to standard industry practice, and as a matter
of efficiency, electronic payment processing vendors normally retain convenience fees as payment for their
services. Requiring the convenience fee to first be routed through the court technology fund fails to align
with the industry standard and creates an inefficient process for both the courts and the payment processing
vendors. As a result, this bill will strike § 31-3221’s requirement that the electronic payment convenience fee
be deposited into the court technology fund before it is distributed to the payment processor.
FISCAL NOTE
This proposed amendment will have no fiscal impact upon the General Fund, any other state fund, or local
governments. The proposed amendment simply eliminates an inefficient process, and it will cause neither an
increase nor decrease in existing or future appropriations or revenues.
Contact:
Jason Slade Spillman, Legal Counsel, Administrative Office of the Courts
(208) 334-2246
Representative Chenele Dixon
(208) 332-1000
DISCLAIMER: This statement of purpose and fiscal note are a mere attachment to this bill and prepared by a proponent
of the bill. It is neither intended as an expression of legislative intent nor intended for any use outside of the legislative
process, including judicial review (Joint Rule 18).
Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Note Bill SOP/FN REVISED: 03/11/2024, 4:10 PM


Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 31-3221