Debt/Lien Study (language only)

Item 21 #4c

Language
Page 15, after line 35, insert:
"E.  The Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia, with assistance from the Auditor of Public Accounts and such other agencies or organizations as may be requested, shall examine the adequacy of the Commonwealth's current efforts in the collection of unpaid court-ordered fines and fees, data collection efforts associated with these collections, and fee-for-service payments associated with delinquent recoveries.  The review shall consider the feasibility and practicality of authorizing Attorneys for the Commonwealth to issue notices of lien in order to improve debt collection.  All agencies and institutions shall provide such information and assistance as may be requested by the Executive Secretary in this effort.  A report, providing such recommendations as may seem appropriate, shall be presented to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees by December 1, 1997.  The Executive Secretary shall prepare a report on the potential for increasing court costs assessed against convicted offenders for the purpose of offsetting the required deposit into the Corrections Special Reserve Fund, created pursuant to §30-19.1:4.  Copies of the report shall be provided to the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees, and the Senate and House Committees on Courts of Justice, by December 1, 1997."

Explanation
(This amendment requests the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court to conduct two studies related to court-ordered fines and fees.)