The legislation allows Clerks of Courts to keep more funding from fines and fees.
Clerks of Courts across Florida are encouraged by legislation Gov. Ron DeSantis signed this month that allows their Offices to retain more revenue from fees they collect as part of their services.
DeSantis signed the legislation (HB 925) designed to strengthen long-term funding for Clerk’s Offices across the state. It goes into effect July 1.
It also increases the percentage of fines and penalties that are deposited into the fine and forfeiture funds at Clerk’s Offices and decreases the amount of those funds returned to the local municipalities where the Clerk’s Offices are located.
St. Johns County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller Brandon J. Patty said the measure is a welcome relief to Clerks around the state who are dealing with more complicated budgeting.
“This was truly a collective effort by clerks across Florida who share a commitment to ensuring our offices have the resources necessary to continue serving the public,” said Patty, who is an active member of the Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers association (FCCC).
“I deeply appreciate the leadership and advocacy of the FCCC and their role in helping move this bill through the Legislature and ultimately to the Governor’s desk.”
Florida Clerk’s Offices traditionally had to pool money collected from court-related fees and fines and redistribute the funds statewide. The new measure reduces the amount of money those Offices return to the state. That allows more funding to stay within the county where that money is collected.
Patty said in St. Johns County alone, the measure will account for an estimated increase in funding of more than $79,000 in Fiscal Year 2027-28. That figure will increase for St. Johns County to an estimated nearly $190,000 in Fiscal Year 2028-2029, he added.
The additional funds will also reduce reliance on subsidies for court functions provided by counties, Patty said.