The Florida Senate

¹29.008  County funding of court-related functions.--

(1)  Counties are required by s. 14, Art. V of the State Constitution to fund the cost of communications services, existing radio systems, existing multiagency criminal justice information systems, and the cost of construction or lease, maintenance, utilities, and security of facilities for the circuit and county courts, public defenders' offices, state attorneys' offices, and the offices of the clerks of the circuit and county courts performing court-related functions. For purposes of implementing these requirements, the term:

(a)  "Facility" means reasonable and necessary buildings, structures, real estate, easements, and related interests in real estate, including, but not limited to, those for the purpose of housing personnel, equipment, or functions of the circuit or county courts, public defenders' offices, state attorneys' offices, and court-related functions of the office of the clerks of the circuit and county courts and all storage. The term also includes access to parking for such facilities in connection with such court-related functions that may be available free or from a private provider or a local government for a fee.

(b)  "Construction or lease" includes, but is not limited to, all reasonable and necessary costs of the acquisition of facilities, equipment, and furnishings for all judicial officers, staff, jurors, volunteers, and the public for the circuit and county courts, the public defenders' offices, state attorneys' offices, and for performing the court-related functions of the offices of the clerks of the circuit and county courts. This includes expenses related to financing such facilities and the existing and future cost and bonded indebtedness associated with placing the facilities in use.

(c)  "Maintenance" includes, but is not limited to, all reasonable and necessary costs of custodial and groundskeeping services and renovation and reconstruction as needed to accommodate functions for the circuit and county courts, the public defenders' offices, and state attorneys' offices and for performing the court-related functions of the offices of the clerks of the circuit and county court and for maintaining the facilities in a condition appropriate and safe for the use intended.

(d)  "Utilities" means electricity services for light, heat, or power; natural or manufactured gas services for light, heat, or power; water and wastewater services and systems, stormwater or runoff services and systems, sewer services and systems, all costs or fees associated with these services and systems, and any costs or fees associated with the mitigation of environmental impacts directly related to the facility.

(e)  "Security" includes but is not limited to, all reasonable and necessary costs of services of law enforcement officers or licensed security guards and all electronic, cellular, or digital monitoring and screening devices necessary to ensure the safety and security of all persons visiting or working in a facility; to provide for security of the facility, including protection of property owned by the county or the state; and for security of prisoners brought to any facility. This includes bailiffs while providing courtroom and other security for each judge and other quasi-judicial officers.

(f)  "Communications systems or communications services" are defined as any reasonable and necessary transmission, emission, and reception of signs, signals, writings, images, and sounds of intelligence of any nature by wire, radio, optical, or other electromagnetic systems and includes all facilities and equipment owned, leased, or used by judges, clerks, public defenders, state attorneys, and all staff of the state courts system, state attorneys' offices, public defenders' offices, and clerks of the circuit and county courts performing court-related functions. Such system or services shall include, but not be limited to:

1.  Telephone services and equipment, including facsimile, wireless communications, video teleconferencing, pagers, computer lines, and telephone switching equipment and the maintenance, supplies, hardware, software, and line charges, including local and long-distance toll charges, and support staff or services necessary for operation.

2.  Computer systems and equipment, including computer hardware and software, modems, printers, wiring, network connections, maintenance, support staff or services, training, supplies, and line charges necessary for an integrated computer system to support the operations and management of the state courts system, the offices of the public defenders, the offices of the state attorneys, and the offices of the clerks of the circuit and county courts and the capability to connect those entities and reporting data to the state as required for the transmission of revenue, performance accountability, case management, data collection, budgeting, and auditing purposes.

3.  Postage, printed documents, radio, courier messenger and subpoena services, support services, all maintenance, supplies, and line charges.

(g)  "Existing radio systems" includes, but is not limited to, law enforcement radio systems that are used by the circuit and county courts, the offices of the public defenders, the offices of the state attorneys, and for court-related functions of the offices of the clerks of the circuit and county courts. This includes radio systems that were operational or under contract at the time Revision No. 7, 1998, to Art. V of the State Constitution was adopted and any enhancements made thereafter, the maintenance of those systems, and the personnel and supplies necessary for operation.

(h)  "Existing multiagency criminal justice information systems" includes, but is not limited to, those components of the multiagency criminal justice information system as defined in s. 943.045, supporting the offices of the circuit or county courts, the public defenders' offices, the state attorneys' offices, or those portions of the offices of the clerks of the circuit and county courts performing court-related functions that are used to carry out the court-related activities of those entities. This includes upgrades and maintenance of the current equipment, maintenance and upgrades of supporting technology infrastructure and associated staff, and services and expenses to assure continued information sharing and reporting of information to the state. The counties shall also provide additional information technology services, hardware, and software as needed for new judges and staff of the state courts system, state attorneys' offices, public defenders' offices, and the offices of the clerks of the circuit and county courts performing court-related functions.

(2)  Counties shall pay reasonable and necessary salaries, costs, and expenses of the state courts system to meet local requirements as determined by general law.

History.--s. 8, ch. 2000-237.

¹Note.--Effective July 1, 2001.