Florida Senate - 2009              PROPOSED COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
       Bill No. SB 1718
       
       
       
       
       
                                Barcode 181010                          
       
       604-03485B-09                                                   
       Proposed Committee Substitute by the Committee on Criminal and
       Civil Justice Appropriations
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to the state courts system; amending
    3         s. 28.2401, F.S.; increasing service charges imposed
    4         by the clerk of court in certain matters based on the
    5         value of the estate; providing for the deposit of
    6         revenues generated from the increased service charges
    7         into the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund; amending s.
    8         28.241, F.S.; providing for a portion of circuit court
    9         filing fees to be deposited in the State Courts
   10         Revenue Trust Fund; eliminating a requirement for the
   11         clerk of court to remit a portion of excess filing
   12         fees to the Department of Revenue; providing for the
   13         payment of graduated filing fees in designated types
   14         of cases; prescribing graduated filing fees based on
   15         the value of the claim; providing a manner for valuing
   16         certain claims; requiring a fee for filing a pleding
   17         for relief by counterpetition; providing for the
   18         payment of graduated filing fees for certain pleadings
   19         for relief by cross-claim, counterclaim,
   20         counterpetition, or third-party complaint; prescribing
   21         graduated filing fees based on the value of the
   22         pleading; providing for remittance of fees by the
   23         clerk of court; amending s. 34.041, F.S.; reducing the
   24         county court filing fee for an action to remove a
   25         tenant; requiring a fee for filing a pleading for
   26         relief by counterpetition in county court; amending s.
   27         318.15, F.S.; imposing a processing fee by the clerk
   28         of court on persons who elect to but fail to attend a
   29         driver improvement school following certain traffic
   30         violations; amending s. 497.2765, F.S.; requiring the
   31         recording with the clerk of court of purchase
   32         documents relating to burial rights; prescribing a fee
   33         for the recording the purchase documents for burial
   34         rights; requiring the clerk of court to implement a
   35         process for the electronic filing of court-related
   36         information; requiring the Florida Clerks of Court
   37         Operations Corporation to report on implementation of
   38         the electronic filing process; prescribing the
   39         statewide budget cap for the clerks of court for the
   40         2008-2009 county fiscal year; directing the Florida
   41         Clerks of Court Operations Corporation to reduce the
   42         individual approved budgets of the clerks of court;
   43         authorizing the Chief Justice to request a loan of
   44         funds from the General Revenue Fund if the Revenue
   45         Estimating Conference projects a specified deficiency
   46         in the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund for the 2009
   47         2010 fiscal year; requesting that the Florida Supreme
   48         Court modify rules related to filing fees; providing
   49         effective dates.
   50  
   51  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   52  
   53         Section 1. Effective January 1, 2010, subsection (1) of
   54  section 28.2401, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
   55         28.2401 Service charges in probate matters.—
   56         (1) Except when otherwise provided, the clerk may impose
   57  service charges for the following services, not to exceed the
   58  following amounts:
   59         (a) For the opening of any estate of one document or more,
   60  including, but not limited to, petitions and orders to approve
   61  settlement of minor’s claims; to open a safe-deposit box; to
   62  enter rooms and places; for the determination of heirs, if not
   63  formal administration; and for a foreign guardian to manage
   64  property of a nonresident; but not to include issuance of
   65  letters or order of summary administration..................$115
   66         (b) Caveat............................................$40
   67         (c) Petition and order to admit foreign wills,
   68  authenticated copies, exemplified copies, or transcript to
   69  record......................................................$115
   70         (d) For disposition of personal property without
   71  administration..............................................$115
   72         (e) Summary administration—estates valued at $1,000 or
   73  more........................................................$225
   74         (f) Summary administration—estates valued at less than
   75  $1,000......................................................$115
   76         (g) Formal administration, guardianship, ancillary,
   77  curatorship, or conservatorship proceedings that relate to an
   78  estate having a value of $75,000 or less....................$280
   79         (h)Formal administration, guardianship, ancillary,
   80  curatorship, or conservatorship proceedings that relate to an
   81  estate having a value of more than $75,000 but less than
   82  $250,000..................................................$1,000
   83         (i)Formal administration, guardianship, ancillary,
   84  curatorship, or conservatorship proceedings that relate to an
   85  estate having a value of $250,000 or more.................$2,000
   86         (j)(h) Guardianship proceedings of person only.......$115
   87         (k)(i) Veterans’ guardianship pursuant to chapter 744$115
   88         (l)(j) Exemplified certificates........................$7
   89         (m)(k) Petition for determination of incompetency....$115
   90  
   91  The clerk shall remit $720 of the service charge collected under
   92  paragraph (h) and $1,720 of the service charge collected under
   93  paragraph (i) to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the
   94  State Courts Revenue Trust Fund.
   95         Section 2. Subsection (1) of section 28.241, Florida
   96  Statutes, is amended to read:
   97         28.241 Filing fees for trial and appellate proceedings.—
   98         (1)(a)1.Except as provided in subparagraph 2., the party
   99  instituting any civil action, suit, or proceeding in the circuit
  100  court shall pay to the clerk of that court a filing fee of up to
  101  $295 in all cases in which there are not more than five
  102  defendants and an additional filing fee of up to $2.50 for each
  103  defendant in excess of five. Of the first $193 $85 in filing
  104  fees, $80 must be remitted by the clerk to the Department of
  105  Revenue for deposit into the General Revenue Fund, $108 must be
  106  remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the State
  107  Courts Revenue Trust Fund, and $5 must be remitted to the
  108  Department of Revenue for deposit into the Department of
  109  Financial Services’ Administrative Trust Fund to fund the
  110  contract with the Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation
  111  created in s. 28.35. The next $15 of the filing fee collected
  112  shall be deposited in the state courts’ Mediation and
  113  Arbitration Trust Fund. One-third of any filing fees collected
  114  by the clerk of the circuit court in excess of $100 shall be
  115  remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the
  116  Department of Revenue Clerks of the Court Trust Fund. An
  117  additional filing fee of $4 shall be paid to the clerk. The
  118  clerk shall remit $3.50 to the Department of Revenue for deposit
  119  into the Court Education Trust Fund and shall remit 50 cents to
  120  the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Department of
  121  Financial Services Administrative Trust Fund to fund clerk
  122  education. An additional filing fee of up to $18 shall be paid
  123  by the party seeking each severance that is granted. The clerk
  124  may impose an additional filing fee of up to $85 for all
  125  proceedings of garnishment, attachment, replevin, and distress.
  126  Postal charges incurred by the clerk of the circuit court in
  127  making service by certified or registered mail on defendants or
  128  other parties shall be paid by the party at whose instance
  129  service is made. No additional fees, charges, or costs shall be
  130  added to the filing fees imposed under this section, except as
  131  authorized herein or by general law.
  132         2.a.Notwithstanding the fees prescribed in subparagraph
  133  1., a party instituting a civil action in circuit court for
  134  foreclosure on residential or commercial real property secured
  135  by a mortgage shall pay a graduated filing fee based on the
  136  value of the claim.
  137         b.A party shall estimate the amount in controversy of the
  138  claim upon filing the action. The value of a foreclosure action
  139  for the purpose of determining the filing fee is based upon the
  140  principal due on the note secured by the mortgage, plus interest
  141  owed on the note at the time of filing the foreclosure, plus any
  142  property taxes owed at the time of the filing of the
  143  foreclosure. In its order providing for the final disposition of
  144  the matter, the court shall identify the actual value of the
  145  claim. The clerk shall adjust the filing fee if there is a
  146  difference between the estimated amount in controversy and the
  147  actual value of the claim.
  148         c.The party shall pay a filing fee of:
  149         (I)Two hundred and ninety-five dollars in all cases in
  150  which the value of the claim is $50,000 or less and in which
  151  there are not more than five defendants. The party shall pay an
  152  additional filing fee of up to $2.50 for each defendant in
  153  excess of five. Of the first $193 in filing fees, $80 must be
  154  remitted by the clerk to the Department of Revenue for deposit
  155  into the General Revenue Fund, $108 must be remitted to the
  156  Department of Revenue for deposit into the State Courts Revenue
  157  Trust Fund, and $5 must be remitted to the Department of Revenue
  158  for deposit into the Department of Financial Services’
  159  Administrative Trust Fund to fund the contract with the Florida
  160  Clerks of Court Operations Corporation created in s. 28.35. The
  161  next $15 of the filing fee collected shall be deposited in the
  162  state courts’ Mediation and Arbitration Trust Fund. An
  163  additional filing fee of $4 shall be paid to the clerk. The
  164  clerk shall remit $3.50 to the Department of Revenue for deposit
  165  into the Court Education Trust Fund and shall remit 50 cents to
  166  the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Department of
  167  Financial Services Administrative Trust Fund to fund clerk
  168  education. An additional filing fee of up to $18 shall be paid
  169  by the party seeking each severance that is granted. The clerk
  170  may impose an additional filing fee of up to $85 for all
  171  proceedings of garnishment, attachment, replevin, and distress.
  172  Postal charges incurred by the clerk of the circuit court in
  173  making service by certified or registered mail on defendants or
  174  other parties shall be paid by the party at whose instance
  175  service is made. No additional fees, charges, or costs shall be
  176  added to the filing fees imposed under this section, except as
  177  authorized herein or by general law.
  178         (II)One thousand dollars in all cases in which the value
  179  of the claim is more than $50,000 but less than $250,000 and in
  180  which there are not more than five defendants. The party shall
  181  pay an additional filing fee of up to $2.50 for each defendant
  182  in excess of five. Of the first $898 in filing fees, $80 must be
  183  remitted by the clerk to the Department of Revenue for deposit
  184  into the General Revenue Fund, $813 must be remitted to the
  185  Department of Revenue for deposit into the State Courts Revenue
  186  Trust Fund, and $5 must be remitted to the Department of Revenue
  187  for deposit into the Department of Financial Services’
  188  Administrative Trust Fund to fund the contract with the Florida
  189  Clerks of Court Operations Corporation described in s. 28.35.
  190  The next $15 of the filing fee collected shall be deposited in
  191  the state courts’ Mediation and Arbitration Trust Fund. An
  192  additional filing fee of $4 shall be paid to the clerk. The
  193  clerk shall remit $3.50 to the Department of Revenue for deposit
  194  into the Court Education Trust Fund and shall remit 50 cents to
  195  the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Department of
  196  Financial Services Administrative Trust Fund to fund clerk
  197  education. An additional filing fee of up to $18 shall be paid
  198  by the party seeking each severance that is granted. The clerk
  199  may impose an additional filing fee of up to $85 for all
  200  proceedings of garnishment, attachment, replevin, and distress.
  201  Postal charges incurred by the clerk of the circuit court in
  202  making service by certified or registered mail on defendants or
  203  other parties shall be paid by the party at whose instance
  204  service is made. No additional fees, charges, or costs shall be
  205  added to the filing fees imposed under this section, except as
  206  authorized herein or by general law.
  207         (III)Two thousand dollars in all cases in which the value
  208  of the claim is more than $250,000 and in which there are not
  209  more than five defendants. The party shall pay an additional
  210  filing fee of up to $2.50 for each defendant in excess of five.
  211  Of the first $1,898 in filing fees, $80 must be remitted by the
  212  clerk to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the General
  213  Revenue Fund, $1,813 must be remitted to the Department of
  214  Revenue for deposit into the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund,
  215  and $5 must be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit
  216  into the Department of Financial Services’ Administrative Trust
  217  Fund to fund the contract with the Florida Clerks of Court
  218  Operations Corporation created in s. 28.35. The next $15 of the
  219  filing fee collected shall be deposited in the state courts’
  220  Mediation and Arbitration Trust Fund. An additional filing fee
  221  of $4 shall be paid to the clerk. The clerk shall remit $3.50 to
  222  the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Court Education
  223  Trust Fund and shall remit 50 cents to the Department of Revenue
  224  for deposit into the Department of Financial Services
  225  Administrative Trust Fund to fund clerk education. An additional
  226  filing fee of up to $18 shall be paid by the party seeking each
  227  severance that is granted. The clerk may impose an additional
  228  filing fee of up to $85 for all proceedings of garnishment,
  229  attachment, replevin, and distress. Postal charges incurred by
  230  the clerk of the circuit court in making service by certified or
  231  registered mail on defendants or other parties shall be paid by
  232  the party at whose instance service is made. No additional fees,
  233  charges, or costs shall be added to the filing fees imposed
  234  under this section, except as authorized herein or by general
  235  law.
  236         (b) A party reopening any civil action, suit, or proceeding
  237  in the circuit court shall pay to the clerk of court a filing
  238  fee set by the clerk in an amount not to exceed $50. For
  239  purposes of this section, a case is reopened when a case
  240  previously reported as disposed of is resubmitted to a court and
  241  includes petitions for modification of a final judgment of
  242  dissolution. A party is exempt from paying the fee for any of
  243  the following:
  244         1. A writ of garnishment;
  245         2. A writ of replevin;
  246         3. A distress writ;
  247         4. A writ of attachment;
  248         5. A motion for rehearing filed within 10 days;
  249         6. A motion for attorney’s fees filed within 30 days after
  250  entry of a judgment or final order;
  251         7. A motion for dismissal filed after a mediation agreement
  252  has been filed;
  253         8. A disposition of personal property without
  254  administration;
  255         9. Any probate case prior to the discharge of a personal
  256  representative;
  257         10. Any guardianship pleading prior to discharge;
  258         11. Any mental health pleading;
  259         12. Motions to withdraw by attorneys;
  260         13. Motions exclusively for the enforcement of child
  261  support orders;
  262         14. A petition for credit of child support;
  263         15. A Notice of Intent to Relocate and any order issuing as
  264  a result of an uncontested relocation;
  265         16. Stipulations;
  266         17. Responsive pleadings; or
  267         18. Cases in which there is no initial filing fee.
  268         (c)1.A Any party in addition to other than a party
  269  described in subparagraph (a)1. paragraph (a) who files a
  270  pleading in an original civil action in circuit court for
  271  affirmative relief by cross-claim, counterclaim,
  272  counterpetition, or third-party complaint shall pay the clerk of
  273  court a fee of $295. The clerk shall remit the fee to the
  274  Department of Revenue for deposit into the General Revenue Fund.
  275         2.A party in addition to a party described in subparagraph
  276  (a)2. who files a pleading in an original civil action in
  277  circuit court for affirmative relief by cross-claim,
  278  counterclaim, counterpetition, or third-party complaint shall
  279  pay the clerk of court a graduated fee of:
  280         a.Two hundred and ninety-five dollars in all cases in
  281  which the value of the pleading is $50,000 or less;
  282         b.One thousand dollars in all cases in which the value of
  283  the pleading is more than $50,000 but less than $250,000; or
  284         c.Two thousand dollars in all cases in which the value of
  285  the pleading is $250,000 or more.
  286  
  287  The clerk shall remit the fees collected under this subparagraph
  288  to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the General
  289  Revenue Fund, except that the clerk shall remit $705 of the fee
  290  collected under sub-subparagraph b. and $1,705 of the fee
  291  collected under sub-subparagraph c. to the Department of Revenue
  292  for deposit into the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund.
  293         (d) The clerk of court shall collect a service charge of
  294  $10 for issuing a summons. The clerk shall assess the fee
  295  against the party seeking to have the summons issued.
  296         Section 3. Effective January 1, 2010, section 28.241,
  297  Florida Statutes, as amended by this act, is amended to read:
  298         28.241 Filing fees for trial and appellate proceedings;
  299  graduated filing fees.—
  300         (1)(a)1. Except as provided in subparagraph 2., the party
  301  instituting any civil action, suit, or proceeding in the circuit
  302  court shall pay to the clerk of that court a filing fee of up to
  303  $295 in all cases in which there are not more than five
  304  defendants and an additional filing fee of up to $2.50 for each
  305  defendant in excess of five. Of the first $193 in filing fees,
  306  $80 must be remitted by the clerk to the Department of Revenue
  307  for deposit into the General Revenue Fund, $108 must be remitted
  308  to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the State Courts
  309  Revenue Trust Fund, and $5 must be remitted to the Department of
  310  Revenue for deposit into the Department of Financial Services’
  311  Administrative Trust Fund to fund the contract with the Florida
  312  Clerks of Court Operations Corporation created in s. 28.35. The
  313  next $15 of the filing fee collected shall be deposited in the
  314  state courts’ Mediation and Arbitration Trust Fund. An
  315  additional filing fee of $4 shall be paid to the clerk. The
  316  clerk shall remit $3.50 to the Department of Revenue for deposit
  317  into the Court Education Trust Fund and shall remit 50 cents to
  318  the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Department of
  319  Financial Services Administrative Trust Fund to fund clerk
  320  education. An additional filing fee of up to $18 shall be paid
  321  by the party seeking each severance that is granted. The clerk
  322  may impose an additional filing fee of up to $85 for all
  323  proceedings of garnishment, attachment, replevin, and distress.
  324  Postal charges incurred by the clerk of the circuit court in
  325  making service by certified or registered mail on defendants or
  326  other parties shall be paid by the party at whose instance
  327  service is made. No additional fees, charges, or costs shall be
  328  added to the filing fees imposed under this section, except as
  329  authorized herein or by general law.
  330         2.a. Notwithstanding the fees prescribed in subparagraph
  331  1., a party instituting a civil action, suit, or proceeding in
  332  circuit court for foreclosure on residential or commercial real
  333  property secured by a mortgage shall pay a graduated filing fee
  334  based on the value of the claim if the action is:.
  335         (I)An action seeking economic damages under a contract;
  336         (II)An action based on a claim of indebtedness;
  337         (III)An action for foreclosure on residential or
  338  commercial real property secured by a mortgage;
  339         (IV)An action in which a condominium association is named
  340  as party and which seeks economic damages;
  341         (V)An action based on antitrust or trade regulations and
  342  which seeks economic damages;
  343         (VI)An action involving business transactions and which
  344  seeks economic damages;
  345         (VII)An action involving a declaratory judgment on whether
  346  a claim is covered by an insurance policy;
  347         (VIII)An action involving intellectual property or trade
  348  secret rights and which seeks economic damages; or
  349         (IX)An action for dissolution of marriage or simplified
  350  dissolution of marriage.
  351         b. A party shall estimate the amount in controversy of the
  352  claim upon filing the action or other request for relief. Except
  353  as otherwise provided, the amount in controversy for an action
  354  shall include the amount of estimated economic damages and other
  355  damages. The value of a foreclosure action for the purpose of
  356  determining the filing fee is based upon the principal due on
  357  the note secured by the mortgage, plus interest owed on the note
  358  at the time of filing the foreclosure, plus any property taxes
  359  owed at the time of the filing of the foreclosure. The amount in
  360  controversy for an action for dissolution of marriage or
  361  simplified dissolution of marriage shall be based upon the
  362  estimated equitable distribution of assets and shall not include
  363  child support or alimony. In its order providing for the final
  364  disposition of the matter, the court shall identify the actual
  365  value of the claim. The clerk shall adjust the filing fee if
  366  there is a difference between the estimated amount in
  367  controversy and the actual value of the claim.
  368         c. The party shall pay a filing fee of:
  369         (I) Two hundred and ninety-five dollars in all cases in
  370  which the value of the claim is $50,000 or less and in which
  371  there are not more than five defendants. The party shall pay an
  372  additional filing fee of up to $2.50 for each defendant in
  373  excess of five. Of the first $193 in filing fees, $80 must be
  374  remitted by the clerk to the Department of Revenue for deposit
  375  into the General Revenue Fund, $108 must be remitted to the
  376  Department of Revenue for deposit into the State Courts Revenue
  377  Trust Fund, and $5 must be remitted to the Department of Revenue
  378  for deposit into the Department of Financial Services’
  379  Administrative Trust Fund to fund the contract with the Florida
  380  Clerks of Court Operations Corporation created in s. 28.35. The
  381  next $15 of the filing fee collected shall be deposited in the
  382  state courts’ Mediation and Arbitration Trust Fund. An
  383  additional filing fee of $4 shall be paid to the clerk. The
  384  clerk shall remit $3.50 to the Department of Revenue for deposit
  385  into the Court Education Trust Fund and shall remit 50 cents to
  386  the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Department of
  387  Financial Services’ Administrative Trust Fund to fund clerk
  388  education. An additional filing fee of up to $18 shall be paid
  389  by the party seeking each severance that is granted. The clerk
  390  may impose an additional filing fee of up to $85 for all
  391  proceedings of garnishment, attachment, replevin, and distress.
  392  Postal charges incurred by the clerk of the circuit court in
  393  making service by certified or registered mail on defendants or
  394  other parties shall be paid by the party at whose instance
  395  service is made. No additional fees, charges, or costs shall be
  396  added to the filing fees imposed under this section, except as
  397  authorized herein or by general law.
  398         (II) One thousand dollars in all cases in which the value
  399  of the claim is more than $50,000 but less than $250,000 and in
  400  which there are not more than five defendants. The party shall
  401  pay an additional filing fee of up to $2.50 for each defendant
  402  in excess of five. Of the first $898 in filing fees, $80 must be
  403  remitted by the clerk to the Department of Revenue for deposit
  404  into the General Revenue Fund, $813 must be remitted to the
  405  Department of Revenue for deposit into the State Courts Revenue
  406  Trust Fund, and $5 must be remitted to the Department of Revenue
  407  for deposit into the Department of Financial Services’
  408  Administrative Trust Fund to fund the contract with the Florida
  409  Clerks of Court Operations Corporation described in s. 28.35.
  410  The next $15 of the filing fee collected shall be deposited in
  411  the state courts’ Mediation and Arbitration Trust Fund. An
  412  additional filing fee of $4 shall be paid to the clerk. The
  413  clerk shall remit $3.50 to the Department of Revenue for deposit
  414  into the Court Education Trust Fund and shall remit 50 cents to
  415  the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Department of
  416  Financial Services’ Administrative Trust Fund to fund clerk
  417  education. An additional filing fee of up to $18 shall be paid
  418  by the party seeking each severance that is granted. The clerk
  419  may impose an additional filing fee of up to $85 for all
  420  proceedings of garnishment, attachment, replevin, and distress.
  421  Postal charges incurred by the clerk of the circuit court in
  422  making service by certified or registered mail on defendants or
  423  other parties shall be paid by the party at whose instance
  424  service is made. No additional fees, charges, or costs shall be
  425  added to the filing fees imposed under this section, except as
  426  authorized herein or by general law.
  427         (III) Two thousand dollars in all cases in which the value
  428  of the claim is more than $250,000 and in which there are not
  429  more than five defendants. The party shall pay an additional
  430  filing fee of up to $2.50 for each defendant in excess of five.
  431  Of the first $1,898 in filing fees, $80 must be remitted by the
  432  clerk to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the General
  433  Revenue Fund, $1,813 must be remitted to the Department of
  434  Revenue for deposit into the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund,
  435  and $5 must be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit
  436  into the Department of Financial Services’ Administrative Trust
  437  Fund to fund the contract with the Florida Clerks of Court
  438  Operations Corporation created in s. 28.35. The next $15 of the
  439  filing fee collected shall be deposited in the state courts’
  440  Mediation and Arbitration Trust Fund. An additional filing fee
  441  of $4 shall be paid to the clerk. The clerk shall remit $3.50 to
  442  the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Court Education
  443  Trust Fund and shall remit 50 cents to the Department of Revenue
  444  for deposit into the Department of Financial Services’
  445  Administrative Trust Fund to fund clerk education. An additional
  446  filing fee of up to $18 shall be paid by the party seeking each
  447  severance that is granted. The clerk may impose an additional
  448  filing fee of up to $85 for all proceedings of garnishment,
  449  attachment, replevin, and distress. Postal charges incurred by
  450  the clerk of the circuit court in making service by certified or
  451  registered mail on defendants or other parties shall be paid by
  452  the party at whose instance service is made. No additional fees,
  453  charges, or costs shall be added to the filing fees imposed
  454  under this section, except as authorized herein or by general
  455  law.
  456         (b) A party reopening any civil action, suit, or proceeding
  457  in the circuit court shall pay to the clerk of court a filing
  458  fee set by the clerk in an amount not to exceed $50. For
  459  purposes of this section, a case is reopened when a case
  460  previously reported as disposed of is resubmitted to a court and
  461  includes petitions for modification of a final judgment of
  462  dissolution. A party is exempt from paying the fee for any of
  463  the following:
  464         1. A writ of garnishment;
  465         2. A writ of replevin;
  466         3. A distress writ;
  467         4. A writ of attachment;
  468         5. A motion for rehearing filed within 10 days;
  469         6. A motion for attorney’s fees filed within 30 days after
  470  entry of a judgment or final order;
  471         7. A motion for dismissal filed after a mediation agreement
  472  has been filed;
  473         8. A disposition of personal property without
  474  administration;
  475         9. Any probate case prior to the discharge of a personal
  476  representative;
  477         10. Any guardianship pleading prior to discharge;
  478         11. Any mental health pleading;
  479         12. Motions to withdraw by attorneys;
  480         13. Motions exclusively for the enforcement of child
  481  support orders;
  482         14. A petition for credit of child support;
  483         15. A Notice of Intent to Relocate and any order issuing as
  484  a result of an uncontested relocation;
  485         16. Stipulations;
  486         17. Responsive pleadings; or
  487         18. Cases in which there is no initial filing fee.
  488         (c)1. A party in addition to a party described in
  489  subparagraph (a)1. who files a pleading in an original civil
  490  action in circuit court for affirmative relief by cross-claim,
  491  counterclaim, counterpetition, or third-party complaint shall
  492  pay the clerk of court a fee of $295. The clerk shall remit the
  493  fee to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the General
  494  Revenue Fund.
  495         2. A party in addition to a party described in subparagraph
  496  (a)2. who files a pleading in an original civil action in
  497  circuit court for affirmative relief by cross-claim,
  498  counterclaim, counterpetition, or third-party complaint shall
  499  pay the clerk of court a graduated fee of:
  500         a. Two hundred and ninety-five dollars in all cases in
  501  which the value of the pleading is $50,000 or less;
  502         b. One thousand dollars in all cases in which the value of
  503  the pleading is more than $50,000 but less than $250,000; or
  504         c. Two thousand dollars in all cases in which the value of
  505  the pleading is $250,000 or more.
  506  
  507  The clerk shall remit the fees collected under this subparagraph
  508  to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the General
  509  Revenue Fund, except that the clerk shall remit $705 of the fee
  510  collected under sub-subparagraph b. and $1,705 of the fee
  511  collected under sub-subparagraph c. to the Department of Revenue
  512  for deposit into the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund.
  513         (d) The clerk of court shall collect a service charge of
  514  $10 for issuing a summons. The clerk shall assess the fee
  515  against the party seeking to have the summons issued.
  516         (2) Upon the institution of any appellate proceeding from
  517  any lower court to the circuit court of any such county,
  518  including appeals filed by a county or municipality as provided
  519  in s. 34.041(5), or from the circuit court to an appellate court
  520  of the state, the clerk shall charge and collect from the party
  521  or parties instituting such appellate proceedings a filing fee
  522  not to exceed $280 for filing a notice of appeal from the county
  523  court to the circuit court and, in addition to the filing fee
  524  required under s. 25.241 or s. 35.22, $100 for filing a notice
  525  of appeal from the circuit court to the district court of appeal
  526  or to the Supreme Court. If the party is determined to be
  527  indigent, the clerk shall defer payment of the fee. The clerk
  528  shall remit the first $80 to the Department of Revenue for
  529  deposit into the General Revenue Fund. One-third of the fee
  530  collected by the clerk in excess of $80 also shall be remitted
  531  to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Clerks of the
  532  Court Trust Fund.
  533         (3) A filing fee may not be imposed upon a party for
  534  responding by pleading, motion, or other paper to a civil or
  535  criminal action, suit, proceeding, or appeal in a circuit court.
  536         (4) The fees prescribed in this section do not include the
  537  service charges required by law for the clerk as provided in s.
  538  28.24 or by other sections of the Florida Statutes. Filing fees
  539  authorized by this section may not be added to any civil penalty
  540  imposed by chapter 316 or chapter 318.
  541         (5) Filing fees for the institution or reopening of any
  542  civil action, suit, or proceeding in county court shall be
  543  charged and collected as provided in s. 34.041.
  544         (6) From each attorney appearing pro hac vice, the clerk of
  545  the circuit court shall collect a fee of $100 for deposit into
  546  the General Revenue Fund.
  547         Section 4. Subsection (1) of section 34.041, Florida
  548  Statutes, is amended to read:
  549         34.041 Filing fees.—
  550         (1)(a) Upon the institution of any civil action, suit, or
  551  proceeding in county court, the party shall pay the following
  552  filing fee, not to exceed:
  553         1. For all claims less than $100.....................$50.
  554         2. For all claims of $100 or more but not more
  555  than $500...................................................$75.
  556         3. For all claims of more than $500 but not more than
  557  $2,500.....................................................$170.
  558         4. For all claims of more than $2,500...............$295.
  559         5. In addition, for all proceedings of garnishment,
  560  attachment, replevin, and distress..........................$85.
  561         6. For removal of tenant action................$180 $265.
  562         (b) The first $80 of the filing fee collected under
  563  subparagraph (a)4. shall be remitted to the Department of
  564  Revenue for deposit into the General Revenue Fund. The next $15
  565  of the filing fee collected under subparagraph (a)4., and the
  566  first $15 of each filing fee collected under subparagraph (a)6.,
  567  shall be deposited in the state courts’ Mediation and
  568  Arbitration Trust Fund. One-third of any filing fees collected
  569  by the clerk under this section in excess of the first $95
  570  collected under subparagraph (a)4. shall be remitted to the
  571  Department of Revenue for deposit into the Department of Revenue
  572  Clerks of the Court Trust Fund. An additional filing fee of $4
  573  shall be paid to the clerk. The clerk shall transfer $3.50 to
  574  the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Court Education
  575  Trust Fund and shall transfer 50 cents to the Department of
  576  Revenue for deposit into the Department of Financial Services’
  577  Administrative Trust Fund to fund clerk education. Postal
  578  charges incurred by the clerk of the county court in making
  579  service by mail on defendants or other parties shall be paid by
  580  the party at whose instance service is made. Except as provided
  581  herein, filing fees and service charges for performing duties of
  582  the clerk relating to the county court shall be as provided in
  583  ss. 28.24 and 28.241. Except as otherwise provided herein, all
  584  filing fees shall be retained as fee income of the office of the
  585  clerk of circuit court. Filing fees imposed by this section may
  586  not be added to any penalty imposed by chapter 316 or chapter
  587  318.
  588         (c) A Any party in addition to other than a party described
  589  in paragraph (a) who files a pleading in an original civil
  590  action in the county court for affirmative relief by cross
  591  claim, counterclaim, counterpetition, or third-party complaint,
  592  or who files a notice of cross-appeal or notice of joinder or
  593  motion to intervene as an appellant, cross-appellant, or
  594  petitioner, shall pay the clerk of court a fee of $295 if the
  595  relief sought by the party under this paragraph exceeds $2,500.
  596  This fee does shall not apply if where the cross-claim,
  597  counterclaim, counterpetition, or third-party complaint requires
  598  transfer of the case from county to circuit court. The clerk
  599  shall remit the fee to the Department of Revenue for deposit
  600  into the General Revenue Fund.
  601         (d) The clerk of court shall collect a service charge of
  602  $10 for issuing a summons. The clerk shall assess the fee
  603  against the party seeking to have the summons issued.
  604         Section 5. Subsection (1) of section 318.15, Florida
  605  Statutes, as amended by section 2 of chapter 2009-6, Laws of
  606  Florida, is amended to read:
  607         318.15 Failure to comply with civil penalty or to appear;
  608  penalty.—
  609         (1)(a) If a person fails to comply with the civil penalties
  610  provided in s. 318.18 within the time period specified in s.
  611  318.14(4), fails to attend driver improvement school, or fails
  612  to appear at a scheduled hearing, the clerk of the court shall
  613  notify the Division of Driver Licenses of the Department of
  614  Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles of such failure within 10 days
  615  after such failure. Upon receipt of such notice, the department
  616  shall immediately issue an order suspending the driver’s license
  617  and privilege to drive of such person effective 20 days after
  618  the date the order of suspension is mailed in accordance with s.
  619  322.251(1), (2), and (6). Any such suspension of the driving
  620  privilege which has not been reinstated, including a similar
  621  suspension imposed outside Florida, shall remain on the records
  622  of the department for a period of 7 years from the date imposed
  623  and shall be removed from the records after the expiration of 7
  624  years from the date it is imposed.
  625         (b) However, a person who elects to attend driver
  626  improvement school and has paid the civil penalty as provided in
  627  s. 318.14(9), but who subsequently fails to attend the driver
  628  improvement school within the time specified by the court shall
  629  be deemed to have admitted the infraction and shall be
  630  adjudicated guilty. In such a case in which there was an 18
  631  percent reduction pursuant to s. 318.14(9) as it existed before
  632  February 1, 2009 prior to the effective date of this act, the
  633  person must pay the clerk of the court that amount and a
  634  processing fee of up to $18, after which no additional
  635  penalties, court costs, or surcharges shall be imposed for the
  636  violation. In all other such cases, the person must pay the
  637  clerk a processing fee of up to $18, after which no additional
  638  penalties, court costs, or surcharges shall be imposed for the
  639  violation. The clerk of the court shall notify the department of
  640  the person’s failure to attend driver improvement school and
  641  points shall be assessed pursuant to s. 322.27.
  642         Section 6. Section 497.2765, Florida Statutes, is amended
  643  to read:
  644         497.2765 Recording purchase of burial rights.—
  645         (1) Any person purchasing a burial right, belowground
  646  crypt, grave space, mausoleum, columbarium, ossuary, or
  647  scattering garden for the interment, entombment, inurnment, or
  648  other disposition of human remains shall may, at the person’s
  649  option, permanently record the purchase of the burial right,
  650  belowground crypt, grave space, mausoleum, columbarium, ossuary,
  651  or scattering garden with the clerk of the court in the county
  652  where the burial right, belowground crypt, grave space,
  653  mausoleum, columbarium, ossuary, or scattering garden is
  654  located. The recordation pursuant to this section is for the
  655  purpose of public notification and for the purpose of
  656  establishing a permanent record in the official records of the
  657  county; however, it does not create any priority of interest or
  658  ownership.
  659         (2) The clerk of the court shall record the evidence of the
  660  purchase of a burial right, belowground crypt, grave space,
  661  mausoleum, columbarium, ossuary, or scattering garden presented
  662  to him or her for recording upon payment of a fee of $20 the
  663  service charge as otherwise provided by law for the recording of
  664  each the purchase document documents in the official records.
  665  The recording fee shall be deposited into the Public Records
  666  Modernization Trust Fund and may be used for the purposes
  667  specified in s. 28.24(12)(e)1.
  668         Section 7. Each clerk of court shall implement an
  669  electronic filing process. The purpose of the electronic filing
  670  process is to reduce judicial costs in the office of the clerk
  671  and the judiciary, increase timeliness in the processing of
  672  cases, and provide the judiciary with case-related information
  673  to allow for improved judicial case management. The Legislature
  674  requests that, no later than July 1, 2009, the Supreme Court set
  675  statewide standards for electronic filing to be used by the
  676  clerks of court to implement electronic filing. The standards
  677  should specify the required information for the duties of the
  678  clerks of court and the judiciary for case management. The
  679  clerks of court shall begin implementation no later than October
  680  1, 2009. The Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation
  681  shall report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of
  682  the House of Representatives by March 1, 2010, on the status of
  683  implementing electronic filing. The report shall include the
  684  detailed status of each clerk office’s implementation of an
  685  electronic filing process, and for those clerks who have not
  686  fully implemented electronic filing by March 1, 2010, a
  687  description of the additional steps needed and a projected
  688  timeline for full implementation. Revenues provided to counties
  689  and the clerk of court under s. 28.24(12)(e), Florida Statutes,
  690  for information technology may also be used to implement
  691  electronic filing processes.
  692         Section 8. Notwithstanding s. 28.36, Florida Statutes, the
  693  statewide budget cap for the clerks of court is $435,330,312 for
  694  the 2008-2009 county fiscal year. The Florida Clerks of Court
  695  Operations Corporation shall reduce the individual approved
  696  budgets of the clerks of court to ensure that the sum of the
  697  approved budgets does not exceed this statewide budget cap.
  698         Section 9. If, at any time during the 2009-2010 fiscal
  699  year, the Revenue Estimating Conference projects that revenue
  700  deposited into the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund will be less
  701  than 98 percent of the amount appropriated from the fund in the
  702  General Appropriations Act for the 2009-2010 fiscal year, the
  703  Chief Justice of the Supreme Court may request a loan of funds
  704  from the General Revenue Fund to the trust fund. If approved by
  705  the Legislative Budget Commission, the loan must be repaid by
  706  June 30, 2011.
  707         Section 10. The Legislature requests that the Supreme Court
  708  modify judicial rules associated with filing fees to implement
  709  the changes provided for in this act.
  710         Section 11. Except as otherwise expressly provide this act,
  711  this act shall take effect June 1, 2009.