Scored 8/10 on whether it helps or hurts everyday people.
The Surcharges & Fees Bill
Ny ends court surcharges and fees
Eliminates certain court surcharges and fees and probation and parole surcharges and fees; eliminates the requirement that a parolee or releasee receiving a merit termination of sentence be financially able to comply with an order of restitution; eliminates the requirement that a person receiving a discharge of sentence be financially able to comply with an order of restitution and the payment of certain surcharges or fees (Part A); mandates that courts engage in an individualized assessment of a person's financial ability to pay a fine prior to imposing a fine (Part B); eliminates the availability of incarceration as a remedy for a failure to pay a fine, surcharge, or fee, lifts and vacates existing warrants issued solely on a person's failure to timely pay a fine, surcharge or fee and ends existing sentences of incarceration based on such failure (Part C); vacates existing unsatisfied civil judgments based on a person's failure to timely pay a surcharge, or fee (Part D); prohibits the collection of a fine, restitution or reparation from the funds of an incarcerated person; prohibits the payment of court fines, mandatory surcharges, certain fees, restitution, reparation or forfeitures from the earnings of prisoners (Part E); vacates existing unpaid surcharges, DNA databank fees, crime victim assistance fees, sexual offender registration fees, supplemental sex offender victim fees, or probation or parole supervision fees; repeals certain provisions of law relating to restrictions on remitting such fees (Part F).
Good for everyday people ·
helps people who cant pay court fees
Our take
What we think, in plain words.
if you cant pay court fees you could go to jail but this bill would change that now is the time to speak up
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The facts
What the bill actually says, no spin.
- eliminates certain court surcharges and fees
- ends incarceration for not paying fines
- prohibits collecting fines from prisoners earnings
In the news
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Sources
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This bill is in the New York Bill Book 2026
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