1998 Florida Code
TITLE V JUDICIAL BRANCH
Chapter 25 Supreme Court  
25.402   County Article V Trust Fund.

25.402  County Article V Trust Fund.--

(1)(a)  The trust fund moneys in the County Article V Trust Fund, administered by the Supreme Court, must be used to compensate counties for the costs they incur under Article V of the State Constitution in operating the state courts system, including the costs they incur in providing and maintaining court facilities.

(b)  The Supreme Court shall adopt an allocation and disbursement plan for the operation of the trust fund and the expenditure of moneys deposited in the trust fund. The Supreme Court shall include the plan in its legislative budget request. A committee of 15 people shall develop and recommend the allocation and disbursement plan to the Supreme Court. The committee shall be composed of:

1.  Six persons appointed by the Florida Association of Counties, as follows:

a.  Two persons residing in counties with populations less than 75,000.

b.  Two persons residing in counties with populations greater than 74,999, but less than 700,000.

c.  Two persons residing in counties with populations greater than 699,999.

2.  Six persons appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, as follows:

a.  Two persons residing in counties with populations less than 75,000.

b.  Two persons residing in counties with populations greater than 74,999, but less than 700,000.

c.  Two persons residing in counties with populations greater than 699,999.

3.  Three persons appointed by the Florida Association of Court Clerks and Comptrollers, as follows:

a.  One person residing in a county with a population less than 75,000.

b.  One person residing in a county with a population greater than 74,999, but less than 700,000.

c.  One person residing in a county with a population greater than 699,999.

The allocation and disbursement plan shall include provisions to compensate counties with fewer than 75,000 residents for court facility needs.

(c)  Amendments to the approved operating budget for expenditures from the County Article V Trust Fund must be approved in accordance with the provisions of s. 216.181. The total amount disbursed from the County Article V Trust Fund may not exceed the amount authorized by the General Appropriations Act.

(d)  Effective July 1, 1998, moneys generated from civil penalties distributed under s. 318.21(2)(h) shall be deposited in the trust fund for the following purposes:

1.  Funds paid to counties with populations less than 75,000 shall be grants-in-aid to be used, in priority order, for: consulting or architectural studies related to the improvement of courthouse facilities; improving court facilities to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal or state requirements; other renovations in court facilities; improvements in court security; and expert witness fees in criminal cases, court reporting and transcribing costs in criminal cases, and costs associated with the appointment of special public defenders.

2.  Funds paid to counties with populations exceeding 74,999 shall be grants-in-aid for costs paid by the county for expert witness fees in criminal cases, court reporting and transcribing costs in criminal cases, and costs associated with the appointment of special public defenders.

(2)  This section is repealed June 30, 2002.

History.--s. 1, ch. 97-235.