Senate Bill 25-241

BY SENATOR(S) Amabile and Kirkmeyer, Bridges;

also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Sirota and Taggart, Bird.

Concerning the deposit of bond forfeiture collections in the judicial collection enhancement fund.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 16-4-111, add (8) as follows:

16-4-111.  Disposition of security deposits upon forfeiture or termination of bond. (8)  Beginning July 1, 2025, the judicial department shall transfer seventy-five percent of the money collected pursuant to this section from a bond forfeiture judgment to the state treasurer for deposit in the judicial collection enhancement fund created in section 16-11-101.6 (2).

SECTION 2.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 16-4-114, add (7) as follows:

16-4-114.  Enforcement procedures for compensated sureties - definitions. (7)  Beginning July 1, 2025, the judicial department shall transfer the money collected pursuant to this section from a bail forfeiture judgment involving an appearance bond described in this section to the state treasurer for deposit in the judicial collection enhancement fund created in section 16-11-101.6 (2).

SECTION 3.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 16-11-101.6, amend (2) as follows:

16-11-101.6.  Collection of fines and fees - methods - charges - judicial collection enhancement fund - creation - definition. (2)  The judicial collection enhancement fund is created in the state treasury. All time payment fees and late penalty fees collected shall be credited to the judicial collection enhancement fund. which fund is hereby created in the state treasury. In addition, reasonable costs incurred and collected by the state shall be credited to the fund. The fund also consists of the money credited to the fund pursuant to sections 16-4-111 and 16-4-114. The general assembly shall make annual appropriations from the fund to the judicial department for administrative and personnel costs incurred in collecting restitution, fines, costs, fees, and other monetary assessments. At the end of any fiscal year, all unexpended and unencumbered moneysmoney and any interest shall remainremains in the fund for appropriation to the judicial department for ongoing enforcement and collection of restitution, fines, fees, costs, surcharges, and other monetary assessments.

SECTION 4.  Safety clause. The general assembly finds, determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state institutions.