The bill amends various sections of Kansas law concerning court fees and procedures, particularly focusing on the authority of the Supreme Court to impose additional charges. It establishes that the docket fee for filing cases in district court will be the only fee collected, with specific amounts set for different types of cases. Notably, the bill deletes previous deadlines of July 1, 2019, and June 30, 2025, replacing them with new deadlines from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030, during which the Supreme Court may impose additional charges of up to $22 for docket fees, $12.50 for garnishment fees, and $19 for limited actions. The bill also introduces provisions for poverty affidavits, allowing individuals who cannot afford the docket fee to file without payment under certain conditions, while exempting the state and municipalities from these fees.

Additionally, the bill addresses the reinstatement of driving privileges, the assessment of fees for traffic violations, and the expungement of criminal records. It establishes a reinstatement fee of $100 for failures to comply with traffic citations, which can be waived for military service members. The bill outlines the conditions for restricted driving privileges and specifies the process for expungement petitions, including eligibility criteria and the types of offenses that can be expunged. It also mandates that expunged records be made available to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for background checks, while allowing individuals to state they have never been arrested for expunged offenses in most situations. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline court processes and clarify financial obligations associated with legal proceedings in Kansas.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 8-2107, 8-2110, 20-3021, 12-105a, 21-6614, 22-2410, 20-362, 23-2510, 28-170, 28-172a, 28-177, 28-178, 28-179, 32-1049a, 38-2215, 38-2312, 38-2314, 59-104, 60-729, 60-2001, 60-2203a, 61-2704, 61-4001, 60-2005, 65-409