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 the corporate limits of the municipality, will be divided among the municipal corporations and townships within its territory based on their respective shares of the total criminal and civil caseload. 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 entity's financial responsibility.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that a municipal corporation or township is not obligated to pay any portion of its share 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 entities to assess and adjust the proportionate shares of operating costs. Finally, the existing section 1901.026 is repealed, indicating a complete overhaul of the previous law.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 1901.026