2023 Legislative Priorities

2023 Legislative Priorities MATERIALS

Click on the 2023 Legislative Priorities Materials listed below to learn more about the continued challenges Clerks of Court face and the long-term solutions to creating a more sustainable budget model.

legislative support in recent years has helped stabilize and improve long standing challenges for clerks of court.

Clerks are grateful for the significant structural changes enacted through the passage of Senate Bill 838 by Sen. Boyd (2021) and House Bill 397 by Rep. Clemons (2022).

These bills provided assistance by establishing reserve and carry forward authority, improving the statewide budget process, creating a reimbursement process for certain cases with no filing fees as well as promoting and enhancing payment plan options.

There’s more to be done to create a sustainable system.

Clerk budgets are still too dependent on funding from fines, fees, and court costs – especially civil traffic citations. Even with recent progress, Clerks of Court have the same statewide budget as a decade ago.

There are several major challenges Clerks need to work with the Legislature to address.

State Statutes Only Allow for Clerks to Retain a Portion of Fines and Fees We Collect

By statute, nearly half of revenues collected by Clerks are disbursed to nearly 40 trust funds. Clerks are presently authorized to retain only 54% of the revenues collected.

Budgets Are Too Dependent on Traffic Citations, Which Make Up Roughly 26% of Clerk Budgets

Traffic citations make up about 26% of Clerk budgets and have decreased roughly 53% from their peak in 2007. Revenues from traffic citations are unstable and can fluctuate monthly and annually and due to external factors, such as natural disasters.

Funding Has Not Kept Up With Standard Adjustments for Staff Wages and Compensation

The current funding structure is not reliable enough to keep up with inflation and other cost-drivers like the new minimum wage requirements, which make it difficult to offer competitive wages and retain staff.

SUPPORT THE 2023 Clerk LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES.

The options captured in our 2023 priorities seek to create a sustainable long-term solution for Clerks to serve our constituents and support the courts. The 2023 Legislative Priorities:

Diversify Clerk Revenues

By redirecting the statutory distribution of certain revenues for court-related services enabling Clerks of Court to retain more revenue for the services they provide.

Support Staffing Needs

By providing new mechanisms to fund increases in Florida Retirement System (FRS) for Court-related employees.

Account for Services Without a Funding Source

By providing a state reimbursement process for certain public services and approved civil indigency cases where fees are currently waived.

Support the 2023 CLERK Legislative Priorities to create a more sustainable long-term solution.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MANY CRITICAL SERVICES CLERKS OF COURT PROVIDE:

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