Scored 8/10 on whether it helps or hurts everyday people.
The Court Surcharges Bill
New York Ends Court Surcharges
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 by ending unfair court fees
Our take
What we think, in plain words.
If this bill passes, people who can't afford to pay fines won't go to jail, which could help thousands of New Yorkers who struggle to pay these fees, and it's a chance for citizens to weigh in on how courts treat people who can't pay
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The facts
What the bill actually says, no spin.
- Eliminates certain court surcharges and fees
- Mandates individualized assessment of a person's financial ability to pay a fine
- Prohibits incarceration for failure to pay a fine
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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