HB 17: Fines and costs; period of limitations on collection, responsibility for collections.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Fines and costs; period of limitations on collection; deferred payment agreement. Changes the period of limitations for the collection of court fines and costs from within 60 years from the date of the offense or delinquency giving rise to imposition of such penalty if imposed by a circuit court or within 30 years if imposed by a general district court to within 10 years from the date of the judgment whether imposed by a circuit court or general district court. The bill provides that upon the expiration of the period of limitations, no action shall be brought to collect the debt.The bill extends the time period for commencing collection activity from 90 days to 180 days after judgment, but provides that no collection activity shall be commenced while a defendant is incarcerated on an active term of imprisonment and subject to a deferred payment agreement.The bill also provides that for any defendant sentenced to an active term of incarceration and ordered to pay any fine, cost, forfeiture, or penalty related to the charge that such defendant is incarcerated for, or any other charge for which such defendant was sentenced on the same day, the court shall enter such defendant into a deferred payment agreement for such fines, costs, forfeitures, or penalties. The bill requires the due date for such deferred payment agreement to be set no earlier than 180 days after the defendant's scheduled release from incarceration on the charge for which such defendant was sentenced on the same day. This bill is identical to SB 180. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 14

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. April 8, 2026Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0355)
2. April 8, 2026Approved by Governor-Chapter355 (Effective 1/1/2027)
3. March 26, 2026Fiscal Impact statement From DPB (3/26/2026 10:21 am)
4. March 14, 2026Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
5. March 14, 2026Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
6. March 13, 2026Signed by President
7. March 13, 2026Signed by Speaker
8. March 13, 2026Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB17ER)
9. March 13, 2026Enrolled
10. March 6, 2026Senate substitute agreed to by House (65-Y 33-N 0-A)
11. March 4, 2026Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
12. March 4, 2026Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

Showing 12 most recent of 40 actions. Full history