Committee approves probate judges' retirement bill increasing court fees to shore up fund

The Senate Committee on Retirement approved a measure presented by Sen. Goodman that would revise funding sources for the probate judges' retirement system by increasing several court-related fees and allowing board adjustments to member dues.

Sen. Goodman said the bill would permit revised member dues in a range and raised marriage license, civil filing and fine-related fees. He cited a drop in concealed-carry permit revenue after the passage of constitutional carry, from about $359,000 in fiscal year 2021 to $126,000 in fiscal year 2025 — a decline of roughly $233,000 — and argued fee adjustments would support a self-funded retirement model for probate judges.

Homer Bryson and Mike Green (chair of the probate judges' retirement system) were present to answer questions. Committee members asked procedural and substantive questions; no roll-call vote was recorded. A motion to pass the bill was made and seconded; the committee approved the bill by affirmation.

The bill will proceed to the next legislative stage; the committee record does not provide an implementation timetable or a detailed revenue projection in the hearing.