SB3111

County law libraries must be open whenever the courthouse is open, and fees collected by clerks are retained in a County Law Library Fund.

The bill amends the Counties Code to mandate that county law libraries be open whenever the courthouse is open, except when closed for operational necessity or by the county board. It allows other appropriate county offices, not just the county treasurer, to retain fees and charges of the clerk in a County Law Library Fund and disburse those funds when ordered. The fund's money cannot be used for lobbying activities. The bill also specifies that fees collected by clerks are to be charged and collected by clerks of all trial courts located in the county.