Georgia House bill by Rep. Crawford authorizes DeKalb County Probate Court technology fee, passes House and Senate

Passed bill authored by State Rep. Omari Crawford aims to allow the DeKalb County Probate Court to charge a technology fee for civil actions, following approval in both chambers, according to the Georgia State House.

It passed both chambers as of Monday, March 31, clearing the House by a vote of 164-0 and the Senate by a vote of 49-0.

The bill, introduced as HB774 on Thursday, March 13 during the 2025 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, was formally described as: ’Dekalb County; Probate Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee’.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill authorizes the Probate Court of DeKalb County to charge a technology fee, not exceeding $5, for each civil action filed in the court. The collected fees are to be allocated exclusively towards the technological needs of the court, which include purchasing and maintaining computer hardware and software, imaging and scanning equipment, and services for conserving and digitizing court records. The funds will be kept in a separate account and must adhere to these designated uses. The authority to impose the technology fee will end on July 1, 2035, after which any remaining funds will be used for general technology purposes in DeKalb County. Conflicting laws are repealed.

In the House, 71 Democrats and 93 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, with no opposition.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 19 Democrats and 30 Republicans voted in favor, also with no opposing votes.

The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Imani Barnes (Democrat-86th), Rep. Doreen Carter (Democrat-93rd), and Rep. Karla Drenner (Democrat-85th), along with two other co-sponsors.

Crawford graduated from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in 2008 with a BA and again in 2013 from North Carolina Central University with a JD.

Crawford, a Democrat, was elected to the Georgia State House in 2025 to represent the state’s 84th House District, replacing previous state representative Becky Evans.

The bill was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on Wednesday, April 30.

In Georgia, the legislative process begins when a lawmaker, often at a constituent’s request, works with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft a bill. After filing with the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate, the bill receives its first reading and is sent to a committee, where most of the debate and fact-finding takes place. If approved, it advances to the floor for a third reading, debate, and a vote. To become law, the bill must pass both chambers, sometimes through a conference committee if versions differ, before being sent to the governor. The governor then has six days during session—or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die)—to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without a signature. The Georgia General Assembly meets annually for a 40-day session beginning the second Monday in January.

Information in this article was obtained from the Georgia State House. The source data can be found here.