State Rep. Demetrius Douglas is spearheading a Georgia House initiative focused on creating a specific funding source for statewide court technology improvements, the Georgia State House reports.
The legislation, designated HB1511 and filed on Wednesday, March 4 during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, carries the formal title: ’Court Technology Funding Act; enact’.
Our summary below draws from the bill’s original language, with added interpretation for clarity.
The measure enables Georgia courts, subject to local approval, to institute technology fees of up to $5 on most civil filings as well as fines related to criminal, traffic, and ordinance infractions, with these revenues deposited into special court technology funds. The proposal would establish the Court Technology Funding Act, necessitate locally approved technology plans overseen by chief judges or their designees, permit audits, and require annual submissions to the Judicial Council of Georgia beginning Aug. 1, 2028. Funds may be spent only on court technology projects, including hardware, software, networks, and related personnel or contracts. The bill would override any new local technology fee ordinances after July 1, 2027, and take effect on that date.
Additional co-sponsors are Rep. Yasmin Neal (Democrat-79th), Rep. Stan Gunter (Republican-8th), and Rep. Robert Flournoy (Democrat-74th).
Douglas has put forward four other bills since this session began.
He is an alumnus of the University of Georgia, where he earned a BS.
Douglas, a Democrat, was elected to the Georgia State House in 2013 representing the 78th District, succeeding Glenn Baker.
According to Georgia’s legislative process, a legislator often drafts a bill with assistance from the Office of Legislative Counsel, prompted by constituents’ input. After introduction with the House or Senate clerk, the bill receives a first reading and moves to committee for discussion and analysis. If approved, it proceeds to the floor for further reading and a vote. For enactment, both chambers must approve the bill, and any differences may be settled in a conference committee before delivery to the governor. The governor then has six days during session—or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die)—to sign, veto, or take no action, allowing the bill to become law. The Georgia General Assembly convenes annually for a 40-day session starting the second Monday in January.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| HB1122 | 02/02/2026 | Insurance; group or individual accident and sickness plans; provisions |
| HB666 | 02/27/2025 | Clayton Judicial Circuit; superior courts; provide for a sixth judge |
| HB101 | 01/17/2025 | State employees; annual public report on the amount of prescription drug rebates and other price concessions applied to premium reductions; provide |
| HB100 | 01/17/2025 | Prescription Drug Consumer Financial Protection Act; enact |
This article’s information comes from the Georgia State House. Source data is available here.
