State Rep. Stan Gunter has introduced legislation in the Georgia House that would generate dedicated fee revenue to improve technology in Union County’s probate court, according to the Georgia State House.
Filed as HB1485 on Tuesday, March 3 during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, the bill is officially titled: ’Union County; Probate Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee’.
The summary below is based on the actual bill text and may contain explanations to clarify its scope.
This measure permits the clerk of the Union County Probate Court to collect a technology fee of up to $5 per civil filing and up to $5 as an added charge for each fine. All collections must be held in a dedicated, auditable account. Use of these funds is limited to the court’s technology needs, such as acquiring, leasing, installing and servicing computer hardware and software; purchasing imaging, scanning, fax, communications, projection and printing equipment; and digitizing court records and archives for public use. Authority to collect the fee expires July 1, 2036, with remaining funds reserved for broader county technology projects.
Since the session started, Gunter has introduced five additional bills, three of which were adopted.
Gunter holds a bachelor’s degree from North Georgia College and a law degree from Woodrow Wilson College of Law.
A Republican, Gunter was elected to the Georgia State House in 2021 to represent District 8, succeeding Matt Gurtler.
In Georgia, the legislative process starts when a legislator, sometimes prompted by a constituent, works with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft a bill. After filing with the Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the Senate, the measure has its first reading and goes to a committee, where most discussion and review occur. If it passes out of committee, it moves to the floor for a third reading, debate, and a vote. To become law, the bill must win approval from both chambers—often reconciled through a conference committee if there are changes—then it is sent to the governor. The governor has six days during the session, or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die), to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without signature. The Georgia General Assembly holds a 40-day annual session starting the second Monday in January.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| HB1208 | 02/05/2026 | Civil practice; require depositions to be taken before certified court reporters |
| HB1120 | 02/02/2026 | Union County; governing authority; change from a sole commissioner to a five-member board of commissioners; provide advisory referendum |
| HB592 | 02/21/2025 | Cleveland, City of; provide new charter |
| HB591 | 02/21/2025 | Cleveland, City of; Municipal Court; charge a technology fee |
| HB582 | 02/21/2025 | Georgia Survivor Justice Act; enact |
Information in this article was obtained from the Georgia State House. The source data can be found here.
