House Bill 547 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 40, by adding a new section that establishes a mandatory charge of $12.50 to be included in every misdemeanor and felony cost bill. This charge is to be remitted to the county government, except in counties that are part of a multiple county judicial district, where it will go to the office of the executive director of the district attorneys general conference. The funds collected are designated for supplemental funding for the district attorney general's office and must be used to support public safety services at the discretion of the district attorney general. Importantly, any unspent funds at the end of the fiscal year will not revert to the state general fund but will be carried forward for their intended purpose.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the costs collected under this section are supplemental to any other funds received by the district attorney general system and do not apply to nonmoving traffic violations. It also clarifies that in cases where restitution or privilege tax is ordered, the new cost does not take priority over those payments. Furthermore, district attorneys general are required to report annually on the amounts charged and collected, as well as the uses of the funds, with a corresponding report to be submitted to key legislative committees.