The bill amends section 1901.026 of the Revised Code to change how current operating costs are apportioned for municipal courts, particularly concerning civil traffic tickets. It specifies that the operating costs for a municipal court, which has jurisdiction beyond its corporate limits, will be divided among the municipal corporations and townships within its territory based on the percentage of total criminal and civil caseloads originating from each area. The bill introduces new language that includes the total number of civil actions related to state traffic laws or municipal traffic ordinances in the calculation of caseloads, thereby expanding the criteria for determining each municipality's financial responsibility.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that a municipal corporation or township is not obligated to pay any portion of its share of the operating costs that exceeds the total amount of costs, fees, fines, or other moneys disbursed to it by the court clerk during the relevant period. The municipal corporation where the court is located will be responsible for covering any unpaid portions of the share from other municipalities or townships. The bill also mandates regular meetings among the auditors or chief fiscal officers of the involved municipalities and townships to assess and adjust the proportionate shares due. Existing language in section 1901.026 is repealed to accommodate these changes.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 1901.026