130th Ohio General Assembly
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(122nd General Assembly)
(Amended Substitute House Bill Number 507)



AN ACT
To amend sections 1901.08, 1901.26, 1907.24, 1925.02, 1925.04, 1925.13, 2303.201, and 2501.16 and to repeal section 1925.08 of the Revised Code to repeal the limitation that persons generally cannot file more than twenty-four claims in the small claims division of any municipal or county court within any calendar year, to repeal the limitation on the amount of the filing fee a small claims division may charge for commencing a civil action, to expand the special projects for which a municipal court or county court may charge an additional filing fee on the filing of each criminal cause, civil action or proceeding, or judgment on the case, to permit a court of common pleas to charge an additional filing fee on the filing of each criminal cause, civil action or proceeding, or judgment by confession to acquire and pay for special projects of the court, to permit a court of appeals to charge an additional filing fee on the filing of each case or cause over which the court has jurisdiction to acquire and pay for special projects of the court, to change the status of the judge of the Washington Court House Municipal Court from part-time to full-time, and to change the status of the judge of the South Euclid Municipal Court from part-time to full-time.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio:

SECTION 1 .  That sections 1901.08, 1901.26, 1907.24, 1925.02, 1925.04, 1925.13, 2303.201, and 2501.16 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows:

Sec. 1901.08.  The number of, and the time for election of, judges of the following municipal courts and the beginning of their terms shall be as follows:

In the Akron municipal court, two full-time judges shall be elected in 1951, two full-time judges shall be elected in 1953, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1967, and one full-time judge shall be elected in 1975.

In the Alliance municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1953.

In the Ashland municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1951.

In the Ashtabula municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1953.

In the Athens county municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1967.

In the Auglaize county municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1975.

In the Avon Lake municipal court, one part-time judge shall be elected in 1957.

In the Barberton municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1969, and one full-time judge shall be elected in 1971.

In the Bedford municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1975, and one full-time judge shall be elected in 1979.

In the Bellefontaine municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1993.

In the Bellevue municipal court, one part-time judge shall be elected in 1951.

In the Berea municipal court, one part-time judge shall be elected in 1957, term to commence on the first day of January next after election, and one part-time judge shall be elected in 1981, term to commence on the second day of January next after election. The part-time judge elected in 1987 whose term commenced on January 1, 1988, shall serve until December 31, 1993, and the office of that judge is abolished, effective on the earlier of December 31, 1993, or the date on which that judge resigns, retires, or otherwise vacates judicial office.

In the Bowling Green municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1983.

In the Bryan municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1965.

In the Cambridge municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1951.

In the Campbell municipal court, one part-time judge shall be elected in 1963.

In the Canton municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1951, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1969, and two full-time judges shall be elected in 1977.

In the Celina municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1957.

In the Champaign county municipal court, one part-time judge shall be elected in 1983.

In the Chardon municipal court, one part-time judge shall be elected in 1963.

In the Chillicothe municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1951, and one full-time judge shall be elected in 1977.

In the Circleville municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1953.

In the Clark county municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1989, and two full-time judges shall be elected in 1991. The full-time judges of the Springfield municipal court who were elected in 1983 and 1985 shall serve as the judges of the Clark county municipal court from January 1, 1988, until the end of their respective terms.

In the Clermont county municipal court, two full-time judges shall be elected in 1991.

In the Cleveland municipal court, six full-time judges shall be elected in 1975, three full-time judges shall be elected in 1953, and four full-time judges shall be elected in 1955.

In the Cleveland Heights municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1957.

In the Clinton county municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1997. The full-time judge of the Wilmington municipal court who was elected in 1991 shall serve as the judge of the Clinton county municipal court from July 1, 1992, until the end of that judge's term on December 31, 1997.

In the Conneaut municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1953.

In the Coshocton municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1951.

In the Crawford county municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1977.

In the Cuyahoga Falls municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1953, and one full-time judge shall be elected in 1967.

In the Dayton municipal court, three full-time judges shall be elected in 1987, their terms to commence on successive days beginning on the first day of January next after their election, and two full-time judges shall be elected in 1955, their terms to commence on successive days beginning on the second day of January next after their election.

In the Defiance municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1957.

In the Delaware municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1953.

In the East Cleveland municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1957.

In the East Liverpool municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1953.

In the Eaton municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1973.

In the Elyria municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1955, and one full-time judge shall be elected in 1973.

In the Euclid municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1951.

In the Fairborn municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1977.

In the Fairfield municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1989.

In the Findlay municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1955, and one full-time judge shall be elected in 1993.

In the Fostoria municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1975.

In the Franklin municipal court, one part-time judge shall be elected in 1951.

In the Franklin county municipal court, two full-time judges shall be elected in 1969, three full-time judges shall be elected in 1971, seven full-time judges shall be elected in 1967, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1975, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1991, and one full-time judge shall be elected in 1997.

In the Fremont municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1975.

In the Gallipolis municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1981.

In the Garfield Heights municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1951, and one full-time judge shall be elected in 1981.

In the Girard municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1963.

In the Hamilton municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1953.

In the Hamilton county municipal court, five full-time judges shall be elected in 1967, five full-time judges shall be elected in 1971, two full-time judges shall be elected in 1981, and two full-time judges shall be elected in 1983. All terms of judges of the Hamilton county municipal court shall commence on the first day of January next after their election, except that the terms of the additional judges to be elected in 1981 shall commence on January 2, 1982, and January 3, 1982, and that the terms of the additional judges to be elected in 1983 shall commence on January 4, 1984, and January 5, 1984.

In the Hardin county municipal court, one part-time judge shall be elected in 1989.

In the Hillsboro municipal court, one part-time judge shall be elected in 1957.

In the Hocking county municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1977.

In the Huron municipal court, one part-time judge shall be elected in 1967.

In the Ironton municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1951.

In the Jackson county municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 2001. On and after March 31, 1997, the part-time judge of the Jackson county municipal court who was elected in 1995 shall serve as a full-time judge of the court until the end of that judge's term on December 31, 2001.

In the Kettering municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1971, and one full-time judge shall be elected in 1975.

In the Lakewood municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1955.

In the Lancaster municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1951, and one full-time judge shall be elected in 1979.

In the Lawrence county municipal court, one part-time judge shall be elected in 1981.

In the Lebanon municipal court, one part-time judge shall be elected in 1955.

In the Licking county municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1951, and one full-time judge shall be elected in 1971.

In the Lima municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1951, and one full-time judge shall be elected in 1967.

In the Lorain municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1953, and one full-time judge shall be elected in 1973.

In the Lyndhurst municipal court, one part-time judge shall be elected in 1957.

In the Madison county municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1981.

In the Mansfield municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1951, and one full-time judge shall be elected in 1969.

In the Marietta municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1957.

In the Marion municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1951.

In the Marysville municipal court, one part-time judge shall be elected in 1963.

In the Mason municipal court, one part-time judge shall be elected in 1965.

In the Massillon municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1953, and one full-time judge shall be elected in 1971.

In the Maumee municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1963.

In the Medina municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1957.

In the Mentor municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1971.

In the Miami county municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1975, and one full-time judge shall be elected in 1979.

In the Miamisburg municipal court, one part-time judge shall be elected in 1951.

In the Middletown municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1953.

In the Mount Vernon municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1951.

In the Napoleon municipal court, one part-time judge shall be elected in 1963.

In the New Philadelphia municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1975.

In the Newton Falls municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1963.

In the Niles municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1951.

In the Norwalk municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1975.

In the Oakwood municipal court, one part-time judge shall be elected in 1953.

In the Oberlin municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1989.

In the Oregon municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1963.

In the Ottawa county municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1995, and the full-time judge of the Port Clinton municipal court who is elected in 1989 shall serve as the judge of the Ottawa county municipal court from February 4, 1994, until the end of that judge's term.

In the Painesville municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1951.

In the Parma municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1951, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1967, and one full-time judge shall be elected in 1971.

In the Perrysburg municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1977.

In the Portage county municipal court, two full-time judges shall be elected in 1979, and one full-time judge shall be elected in 1971.

In the Port Clinton municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1953. The full-time judge of the Port Clinton municipal court who is elected in 1989 shall serve as the judge of the Ottawa county municipal court from February 4, 1994, until the end of that judge's term.

In the Portsmouth municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1951, and one full-time judge shall be elected in 1985.

In the Rocky River municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1957, and one full-time judge shall be elected in 1971.

In the Sandusky municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1953.

In the Shaker Heights municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1957.

In the Shelby municipal court, one part-time judge shall be elected in 1957.

In the Sidney municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1995.

In the South Euclid municipal court, one part-time FULL-TIME judge shall be elected in 1951 1999. The part-time judge elected in 1993, whose term commenced on January 1, 1994, shall serve until December 31, 1999, and the office of that judge is abolished on January 1, 2000.

In the Springfield municipal court, two full-time judges shall be elected in 1985, and one full-time judge shall be elected in 1983, all of whom shall serve as the judges of the Springfield municipal court through December 31, 1987, and as the judges of the Clark county municipal court from January 1, 1988, until the end of their respective terms.

In the Steubenville municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1953.

In the Struthers municipal court, one part-time judge shall be elected in 1963.

In the Sylvania municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1963.

In the Tiffin municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1953.

In the Toledo municipal court, two full-time judges shall be elected in 1971, four full-time judges shall be elected in 1975, and one full-time judge shall be elected in 1973.

In the Upper Sandusky municipal court, one part-time judge shall be elected in 1957.

In the Vandalia municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1959.

In the Van Wert municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1957.

In the Vermilion municipal court, one part-time judge shall be elected in 1965.

In the Wadsworth municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1981.

In the Warren municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1951, and one full-time judge shall be elected in 1971.

In the Washington Court House municipal court, one part-time full-time judge shall be elected in 1951 1999. The part-time judge elected in 1993, whose term commenced on January 1, 1994, shall serve until December 31, 1999, and the office of that judge is abolished on January 1, 2000.

In the Wayne county municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1975, and one full-time judge shall be elected in 1979.

In the Willoughby municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1951.

In the Wilmington municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1991, who shall serve as the judge of the Wilmington municipal court through June 30, 1992, and as the judge of the Clinton county municipal court from July 1, 1992, until the end of that judge's term on December 31, 1997.

In the Xenia municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1977.

In the Youngstown municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1951, and two full-time judges shall be elected in 1953.

In the Zanesville municipal court, one full-time judge shall be elected in 1953.

Sec. 1901.26.  (A) Subject to division (C)(E) of this section, costs in a municipal court shall be fixed and taxed as follows:

(1) The municipal court shall require an advance deposit for the filing of any new civil action or proceeding when required by division (A)(9) of this section, and in all other cases, by rule, shall establish a schedule of fees and costs to be taxed in any civil or criminal action or proceeding.

(2) The municipal court, by rule, may require an advance deposit for the filing of any civil action or proceeding and publication fees as provided in section 2701.09 of the Revised Code. The court may waive the requirement for advance deposit upon affidavit or other evidence that a party is unable to make the required deposit.

(3) When a jury trial is demanded in any civil action or proceeding, the party making the demand may be required to make an advance deposit as fixed by rule of court, unless, upon affidavit or other evidence, the court concludes that the party is unable to make the required deposit. If a jury is called, the fees of a jury shall be taxed as costs.

(4) In any civil or criminal action or proceeding, witnesses' fees shall be fixed in accordance with sections 2335.06 and 2335.08 of the Revised Code.

(5) A reasonable charge for driving, towing, carting, storing, keeping, and preserving motor vehicles and other personal property recovered or seized in any proceeding may be taxed as part of the costs in a trial of the cause, in an amount that shall be fixed by rule of court.

(6) Chattel property seized under any writ or process issued by the court shall be preserved pending final disposition for the benefit of all persons interested and may be placed in storage when necessary or proper for that preservation. The custodian of any chattel property so stored shall not be required to part with the possession of the property until a reasonable charge, to be fixed by the court, is paid.

(7) The municipal court, as it determines, may refund all deposits and advance payments of fees and costs, including those for jurors and summoning jurors, when they have been paid by the losing party.

(8) Charges for the publication of legal notices required by statute or order of court may be taxed as part of the costs, as provided by section 7.13 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) The municipal court may determine that, for the efficient operation of the court, additional funds are necessary to acquire and pay for special projects of the court including, but not limited to, the acquisition of additional facilities or the rehabilitation of existing facilities, the acquisition of equipment, the hiring and training of staff, community service programs, mediation or dispute resolution services, the employment of magistrates, the training and education of judges, acting judges, and magistrates, and other related services. Upon that determination, the court by rule may charge a fee, in addition to all other court costs, on the filing of each criminal cause, civil action or proceeding, or judgment by confession.

If the municipal court offers a special program or service in cases of a specific type, the municipal court by rule may assess an additional charge in a case of that type, over and above court costs, to cover the special program or service. The municipal court shall adjust the special assessment periodically, but not retroactively, so that the amount assessed in those cases does not exceed the actual cost of providing the service or program.

All moneys collected under division (B) of this section shall be paid to the county treasurer if the court is a county-operated municipal court or to the city treasurer if the court is not a county-operated municipal court for deposit into either a general special projects fund or a fund established for a specific special project. Moneys from a fund of that nature shall be disbursed upon an order of the court in an amount no greater than the actual cost to the court of a project. If a specific fund is terminated because of the discontinuance of a program or service established under division (B) of this section, the municipal court may order that moneys remaining in the fund be transferred to an account established under this division for a similar purpose.

(2) As used in division (B) of this section:

(a) "Criminal cause" means a charge alleging the violation of a statute or ordinance, or subsection of a statute or ordinance, that requires a separate finding of fact or a separate plea before disposition and of which the defendant may be found guilty, whether filed as part of a multiple charge on a single summons, citation, or complaint or as a separate charge on a single summons, citation, or complaint. "Criminal cause" does not include separate violations of the same statute or ordinance, or subsection of the same statute or ordinance, unless each charge is filed on a separate summons, citation, or complaint.

(b) "Civil action or proceeding" means any civil litigation that must be determined by judgment entry.

(C) Prior to January 1, 1993, and on and after January 1, 2003, the municipal court shall collect the sum of four dollars as additional filing fees in each new civil action or proceeding for the charitable public purpose of providing financial assistance to legal aid societies that operate within the state. From January 1, 1993, through December 31, 2002, the municipal court shall collect in all its divisions except the small claims division the sum of fifteen dollars as additional filing fees in each new civil action or proceeding for the charitable public purpose of providing financial assistance to legal aid societies that operate within the state. From January 1, 1993, through December 31, 2002, the municipal court shall collect in its small claims division the sum of seven dollars as additional filing fees in each new civil action or proceeding for the charitable public purpose of providing financial assistance to legal aid societies that operate within the state. This division does not apply to any execution on a judgment, proceeding in aid of execution, or other post-judgment proceeding arising out of a civil action. The filing fees required to be collected under this division shall be in addition to any other court costs imposed in the action or proceeding and shall be collected at the time of the filing of the action or proceeding. The court shall not waive the payment of the additional filing fees in a new civil action or proceeding unless the court waives the advanced payment of all filing fees in the action or proceeding. All such moneys shall be transmitted on the first business day of each month by the clerk of the court to the treasurer of state. The moneys then shall be deposited by the treasurer of state to the credit of the legal aid fund established under section 120.52 of the Revised Code.

The court may retain up to one per cent of the moneys it collects under this division to cover administrative costs, including the hiring of any additional personnel necessary to implement this division.

(D) In the Cleveland municipal court, reasonable charges for investigating titles of real estate to be sold or disposed of under any writ or process of the court may be taxed as part of the costs.

(C)(E) Under the circumstances described in sections 2969.21 to 2969.27 of the Revised Code, the clerk of the municipal court shall charge the fees and perform the other duties specified in those sections.

Sec. 1907.24.  (A) Subject to division (C) of this section, a county court shall fix and tax fees and costs as follows:

(1) The county court shall require an advance deposit for the filing of any new civil action or proceeding when required by division (C) of this section and, in all other cases, shall establish a schedule of fees and costs to be taxed in any civil or criminal action or proceeding.

(2) The county court by rule may require an advance deposit for the filing of a civil action or proceeding and publication fees as provided in section 2701.09 of the Revised Code. The court may waive an advance deposit requirement upon the presentation of an affidavit or other evidence that establishes that a party is unable to make the requisite deposit.

(3) When a party demands a jury trial in a civil action or proceeding, the county court may require the party to make an advance deposit as fixed by rule of court, unless the court concludes, on the basis of an affidavit or other evidence presented by the party, that the party is unable to make the requisite deposit. If a jury is called, the county court shall tax the fees of a jury as costs.

(4) In a civil or criminal action or proceeding, the county court shall fix the fees of witnesses in accordance with sections 2335.06 and 2335.08 of the Revised Code.

(5) A county court may tax as part of the costs in a trial of the cause, in an amount fixed by rule of court, a reasonable charge for driving, towing, carting, storing, keeping, and preserving motor vehicles and other personal property recovered or seized in a proceeding.

(6) The court shall preserve chattel property seized under a writ or process issued by the court pending final disposition for the benefit of all interested persons. The court may place the chattel property in storage when necessary or proper for its preservation. The custodian of chattel property so stored shall not be required to part with the possession of the property until a reasonable charge, to be fixed by the court, is paid.

(7) The county court, as it determines, may refund all deposits and advance payments of fees and costs, including those for jurors and summoning jurors, when they have been paid by the losing party.

(8) The court may tax as part of costs charges for the publication of legal notices required by statute or order of court, as provided by section 7.13 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) The county court may determine that, for the efficient operation of the court, additional funds are necessary to acquire and pay for special projects of the court including, but not limited to, the acquisition of additional facilities or the rehabilitation of existing facilities, the acquisition of equipment, the hiring and training of staff, community service programs, mediation or dispute resolution services, the employment of magistrates, the training and education of judges, acting judges, and magistrates, and other related services. Upon that determination, the court by rule may charge a fee, in addition to all other court costs, on the filing of each criminal cause, civil action or proceeding, or judgment by confession.

If the county court offers a special program or service in cases of a specific type, the county court by rule may assess an additional charge in a case of that type, over and above court costs, to cover the special program or service. The county court shall adjust the special assessment periodically, but not retroactively, so that the amount assessed in those cases does not exceed the actual cost of providing the service or program.

All moneys collected under division (B) of this section shall be paid to the county treasurer for deposit into either a general special projects fund or a fund established for a specific special project. Moneys from a fund of that nature shall be disbursed upon an order of the court in an amount no greater than the actual cost to the court of a project. If a specific fund is terminated because of the discontinuance of a program or service established under division (B) of this section, the county court may order that moneys remaining in the fund be transferred to an account established under this division for a similar purpose.

(2) As used in division (B) of this section:

(a) "Criminal cause" means a charge alleging the violation of a statute or ordinance, or subsection of a statute or ordinance, that requires a separate finding of fact or a separate plea before disposition and of which the defendant may be found guilty, whether filed as part of a multiple charge on a single summons, citation, or complaint or as a separate charge on a single summons, citation, or complaint. "Criminal cause" does not include separate violations of the same statute or ordinance, or subsection of the same statute or ordinance, unless each charge is filed on a separate summons, citation, or complaint.

(b) "Civil action or proceeding" means any civil litigation that must be determined by judgment entry.

(C) Subject to division (E) of this section, prior to January 1, 1993, and on and after January 1, 2003, the county court shall collect the sum of four dollars as additional filing fees in each new civil action or proceeding for the charitable public purpose of providing financial assistance to legal aid societies that operate within the state. Subject to division (E) of this section, from January 1, 1993, through December 31, 2002, the county court shall collect in all its divisions except the small claims division the sum of fifteen dollars as additional filing fees in each new civil action or proceeding for the charitable public purpose of providing financial assistance to legal aid societies that operate within the state. Subject to division (E) of this section, from January 1, 1993, through December 31, 2002, the county court shall collect in its small claims division the sum of seven dollars as additional filing fees in each new civil action or proceeding for the charitable public purpose of providing financial assistance to legal aid societies that operate within the state. This division does not apply to any execution on a judgment, proceeding in aid of execution, or other post-judgment proceeding arising out of a civil action. The filing fees required to be collected under this division shall be in addition to any other court costs imposed in the action or proceeding and shall be collected at the time of the filing of the action or proceeding. The court shall not waive the payment of the additional filing fees in a new civil action or proceeding unless the court waives the advanced payment of all filing fees in the action or proceeding. All such moneys collected during a month shall be transmitted on or before the twentieth day of the following month by the clerk of the court to the treasurer of state. The moneys then shall be deposited by the treasurer of state to the credit of the legal aid fund established under section 120.52 of the Revised Code.

The court may retain up to one per cent of the moneys it collects under this division to cover administrative costs, including the hiring of any additional personnel necessary to implement this division.

(D) The county court shall establish by rule a schedule of fees for miscellaneous services performed by the county court or any of its judges in accordance with law. If judges of the court of common pleas perform similar services, the fees prescribed in the schedule shall not exceed the fees for those services prescribed by the court of common pleas.

(E) Under the circumstances described in sections 2969.21 to 2969.27 of the Revised Code, the clerk of the county court shall charge the fees and perform the other duties specified in those sections.

Sec. 1925.02.  (A)(1) Except as provided in division (A)(2) of this section, a small claims division established under section 1925.01 of the Revised Code has jurisdiction in civil actions for the recovery of taxes and money only, for amounts not exceeding three thousand dollars, exclusive of interest and costs.

(2)(a) A small claims division does not have jurisdiction in any of the following:

(i) Libel, slander, replevin, malicious prosecution, and abuse of process actions;

(ii) Actions on any claim brought by an assignee or agent, except a claim to recover taxes that is filed by any authorized employee of a political subdivision or any authorized officer or employee of the state, as defined in division (C) of section 1925.08 of the Revised Code, or a claim filed by a person designated under section 1925.18 of the Revised Code to act as the representative of a prosecuting attorney;

(iii) Actions for the recovery of punitive or exemplary damages.

(b) Division (A)(2)(a) of this section does not exclude actions for the recovery of damages specifically authorized by division (B) of either section 1345.09 or 1345.48 of the Revised Code from the jurisdiction of a small claims division.

(3) The territorial jurisdiction and venue of a small claims division are concurrent with that of the respective court under its procedures in ordinary civil actions. Jurisdiction over the person of a defendant may not be obtained by any form of published or substituted service or warrant of attorney.

(B) A counterclaim or cross-claim of three thousand dollars or less does not affect the jurisdiction of a small claims division. If a counterclaim or cross-claim exceeds three thousand dollars and if the case is transferred to the regular docket of the court, the court, if it finds that the counterclaim or cross-claim was without substantial grounds, may award reasonable attorney's fees by special order to the party against whom the counterclaim or cross-claim is instituted, if that party prevails in the action on that claim.

(C) Any person who files a counterclaim or cross-claim shall file it with the small claims division and serve it on all other parties at least seven days prior to the date of the trial of the plaintiff's claim in the original action.

(D) As used in this section:

(1) "Person" has the same meaning as in division (C) of section 1.59 Of the Revised Code and also includes governmental entities.

(2) "Political subdivision" and "employee" of a political subdivision have the same meanings as in section 2744.01 Of the Revised Code.

(3) "State" has the same meaning as in section 109.36 Of the Revised Code.

(4) "Officer or employee of the state" means any person who is serving in an elected or appointed office or position with the state or is employed by the state. "Officer or employee of the state" does not include any person elected, appointed, or employed by any political subdivision.

Sec. 1925.04.  (A) An action is commenced in the small claims division when the plaintiff, or the plaintiff's attorney, states the amount and nature of the plaintiff's claim to the court as provided in this section. The commencement constitutes a waiver of any right of the plaintiff to trial by jury upon such action. At the time of the commencement of an action, the plaintiff, or the plaintiff's attorney, shall pay both of the following:

(1) A filing fee as determined by the court, not to exceed one-half of the filing fee charged at the commencement of a civil action in the general division of that court; and

(2) The sum required by division (C) of section 1901.26 or division (C) of section 1907.24 of the Revised Code.

(B) The plaintiff, or the plaintiff's attorney, shall state to the administrative assistant or other official designated by the court, the plaintiff's and the defendant's place of residence, the military status of the defendant, and the nature and amount of the plaintiff's claim. The claim shall be reduced to writing in concise, nontechnical form. Such writing shall be signed by the plaintiff, or the plaintiff's attorney, under oath.

A memorandum of the time and place set for trial shall be given to the person signing the writing. The time set for such trial shall be not less than fifteen or more than forty days after the commencement of the action.

If taxes are sought to be recovered in the action, an authorized employee of a political subdivision or an authorized officer or employee of the state, as defined in division (C) of section 1925.08 1925.02 of the Revised Code, may commence the action. If an action is brought on behalf of a county department of human services, a representative of the prosecuting attorney of the county, designated under section 1925.18 of the Revised Code, may commence the action.

Sec. 1925.13.  (A) The court, in its discretion, may order that the judgment, interest, and costs be paid at a certain date or by specified weekly installments, and, during compliance with the order, the court may stay the issue of execution and other proceedings in aid of execution. The stay court may be modified modify or vacated vacate the stay at any time.

Except as otherwise provided in this section, a judgment creditor may avail himself of commence any proceedings to obtain satisfaction of the judgment, including execution and garnishment proceedings, that are permitted to obtain satisfaction of a judgment rendered in an ordinary civil action. In the case of an action commenced by a county department of human services employee designated under section 1925.18 of the Revised Code to represent the prosecuting attorney of the county in commencement of the action, the county department of human services is the judgment creditor.

If an authorized employee of a political subdivision or an authorized officer or employee of the state, as defined in division (C) of section 1925.08 1925.02 of the Revised Code, prevails in an action to recover taxes, the authorized person may use any means provided by law to obtain satisfaction of the judgment, including the provisions of division (B) of this section.

If a party is not represented by counsel, the court, upon payment of court costs, shall explain to the parties and assist the parties in the preparation and filing of, and supply the parties with any necessary forms for, proceedings in aid of execution to collect and enforce judgments.

(B) If, within thirty days after judgment, the judgment is not satisfied and the parties have not otherwise agreed, the court, upon the request of the judgment creditor, shall order the judgment debtor to file, on a form prepared by the court, a list of his the judgment debtor's assets, liabilities, and personal earnings. The form shall contain a notice that failure to complete the form and return it to the court within one week after receipt may result in a citation for contempt of court. Any party who, with notice of the possible contempt citation, willfully fails to comply with the order of the court, may be cited for contempt of court, as provided in Chapter 2705. of the Revised Code.

Sec. 2303.201.  (A)(1) The court of common pleas of any county may determine that for the efficient operation of the court additional funds are required to computerize the court, to make available computerized legal research services, or to do both. Upon making a determination that additional funds are required for either or both of those purposes, the court shall authorize and direct the clerk of the court of common pleas to charge one additional fee, not to exceed three dollars, on the filing of each cause of action or appeal under divisions (A), (Q), and (U) of section 2303.20 of the Revised Code.

(2) All fees collected under division (A)(1) of this section shall be paid to the county treasurer. The treasurer shall place the funds from the fees in a separate fund to be disbursed, upon an order of the court, in an amount not greater than the actual cost to the court of procuring and maintaining computerization of the court, computerized legal research services, or both.

(3) If the court determines that the funds in the fund described in division (A)(2) of this section are more than sufficient to satisfy the purpose for which the additional fee described in division (A)(1) of this section was imposed, the court may declare a surplus in the fund and expend those surplus funds for other appropriate technological expenses of the court.

(B)(1) The court of common pleas of any county may determine that, for the efficient operation of the court, additional funds are required to computerize the office of the clerk of the court of common pleas and, upon that determination, authorize and direct the clerk of the court of common pleas to charge an additional fee, not to exceed ten dollars, on the filing of each cause of action or appeal, on the filing, docketing, and endorsing of each certificate of judgment, or on the docketing and indexing of each aid in execution or petition to vacate, revive, or modify a judgment under divisions (A), (P), (Q), (T), and (U) of section 2303.20 of the Revised Code. Subject to division (B)(2) of this section, all moneys collected under division (B)(1) of this section shall be paid to the county treasurer to be disbursed, upon an order of the court of common pleas and subject to appropriation by the board of county commissioners, in an amount no greater than the actual cost to the court of procuring and maintaining computer systems for the office of the clerk of the court of common pleas.

(2) If the court of common pleas of a county makes the determination described in division (B)(1) of this section, the board of county commissioners of that county may issue one or more general obligation bonds for the purpose of procuring and maintaining the computer systems for the office of the clerk of the court of common pleas. In addition to the purposes stated in division (B)(1) of this section for which the moneys collected under that division may be expended, the moneys additionally may be expended to pay debt charges on and financing costs related to any general obligation bonds issued pursuant to division (B)(2) of this section as they become due. General obligation bonds issued pursuant to division (B)(2) of this section are Chapter 133. securities.

(C) Prior to January 1, 1993, and on and after January 1, 2003, the court of common pleas shall collect the sum of four dollars as additional filing fees in each new civil action or proceeding for the charitable public purpose of providing financial assistance to legal aid societies that operate within the state. From January 1, 1993, through December 31, 2002, the court of common pleas shall collect the sum of fifteen dollars as additional filing fees in each new civil action or proceeding for the charitable public purpose of providing financial assistance to legal aid societies that operate within the state. This division does not apply to proceedings concerning annulments, dissolutions of marriage, divorces, legal separation, spousal support, marital property or separate property distribution, support, or other domestic relations matters; to a juvenile division of a court of common pleas; to a probate division of a court of common pleas, except that the additional filing fees shall apply to name change, guardianship, and adoption proceedings; or to an execution on a judgment, proceeding in aid of execution, or other post-judgment proceeding arising out of a civil action. The filing fees required to be collected under this division shall be in addition to any other filing fees imposed in the action or proceeding and shall be collected at the time of the filing of the action or proceeding. The court shall not waive the payment of the additional filing fees in a new civil action or proceeding unless the court waives the advanced payment of all filing fees in the action or proceeding. All such moneys collected during a month shall be transmitted on or before the twentieth day of the following month by the clerk of the court to the treasurer of state. The moneys then shall be deposited by the treasurer of state to the credit of the legal aid fund established under section 120.52 of the Revised Code.

The court may retain up to one per cent of the moneys it collects under this division to cover administrative costs, including the hiring of any additional personnel necessary to implement this division.

(D) On and after the thirtieth day after December 9, 1994, the court of common pleas shall collect the sum of thirty-two dollars as additional filing fees in each new action or proceeding for annulment, divorce, or dissolution of marriage for the purpose of funding shelters for victims of domestic violence pursuant to sections 3113.35 to 3113.39 of the Revised Code. The filing fees required to be collected under this division shall be in addition to any other filing fees imposed in the action or proceeding and shall be collected at the time of the filing of the action or proceeding. The court shall not waive the payment of the additional filing fees in a new action or proceeding for annulment, divorce, or dissolution of marriage unless the court waives the advanced payment of all filing fees in the action or proceeding. On or before the twentieth day of each month, all moneys collected during the immediately preceding month pursuant to this division shall be deposited by the clerk of the court into the county treasury in the special fund used for deposit of additional marriage license fees as described in section 3113.34 of the Revised Code. Upon their deposit into the fund, the moneys shall be retained in the fund and expended only as described in section 3113.34 of the Revised Code.

(E)(1) The court of common pleas may determine that, for the efficient operation of the court, additional funds are necessary to acquire and pay for special projects of the court, including, but not limited to, the acquisition of additional facilities or the rehabilitation of existing facilities, the acquisition of equipment, the hiring and training of staff, community service programs, mediation or dispute resolution services, the employment of magistrates, the training and education of judges, acting judges, and magistrates, and other related services. Upon that determination, the court by rule may charge a fee, in addition to all other court costs, on the filing of each criminal cause, civil action or proceeding, or judgment by confession.

If the court of common pleas offers a special program or service in cases of a specific type, the court by rule may assess an additional charge in a case of that type, over and above court costs, to cover the special program or service. The court shall adjust the special assessment periodically, but not retroactively, so that the amount assessed in those cases does not exceed the actual cost of providing the service or program.

All moneys collected under division (E) of this section shall be paid to the county treasurer for deposit into either a general special projects fund or a fund established for a specific special project. Moneys from a fund of that nature shall be disbursed upon an order of the court in an amount no greater than the actual cost to the court of a project. If a specific fund is terminated because of the discontinuance of a program or service established under division (E) of this section, the court may order that moneys remaining in the fund be transferred to an account established under this division for a similar purpose.

(2) As used in division (E) of this section:

(a) "Criminal cause" means a charge alleging the violation of a statute or ordinance, or subsection of a statute or ordinance, that requires a separate finding of fact or a separate plea before disposition and of which the defendant may be found guilty, whether filed as part of a multiple charge on a single summons, citation, or complaint or as a separate charge on a single summons, citation, or complaint. "Criminal cause" does not include separate violations of the same statute or ordinance, or subsection of the same statute or ordinance, unless each charge is filed on a separate summons, citation, or complaint.

(b) "Civil action or proceeding" means any civil litigation that must be determined by judgment entry.

Sec. 2501.16.  (A) Each court of appeals may appoint one or more official shorthand reporters, law clerks, secretaries, and any other employees that the court considers necessary for its efficient operation.

The clerk of the court of common pleas, acting as the clerk of the court of appeals for his the county, shall perform the duties otherwise performed and collect the fees otherwise collected by the clerk of the court of common pleas, as set forth in section 2303.03 of the Revised Code, and shall maintain the files and records of the court. The overhead expenses pertaining to the office of the clerk of the court of common pleas that result from his the clerk's acting as clerk of the court of appeals for his the county, other than wages and salaries, shall be paid from the funds provided under sections 2501.18 and 2501.181 of the Revised Code.

Each officer and employee appointed pursuant to this section shall take an oath of office, serve at the pleasure of the court, and perform any duties that the court directs. Each shorthand reporter shall have the powers that are vested in official shorthand reporters of the court of common pleas under sections 2301.18 to 2301.26 of the Revised Code. Whenever an opinion, per curiam, or report of a case has been prepared in accordance with section 2503.20 of the Revised Code, the official shorthand reporter immediately shall forward one copy of the opinion, per curiam, or report to the reporter of the supreme court, without expense to the reporter.

(B) The court of appeals may determine that, for the efficient operation of the court, additional funds are necessary to acquire and pay for special projects of the court, including, but not limited to, the acquisition of additional facilities or the rehabilitation of existing facilities, the acquisition of equipment, the hiring and training of staff, the employment of magistrates, the training and education of judges, acting judges, and magistrates, community service programs, and other related services. Upon that determination, the court by rule may charge a fee, in addition to all other court costs, on the filing of each case or cause over which the court has jurisdiction.

If the court of appeals offers a special program or service in cases of a specific type, the court by rule may assess an additional charge in a case of that type, over and above court costs, to cover the special program or service. The court shall adjust the special assessment periodically, but not retroactively, so that the amount assessed in those cases does not exceed the actual cost of providing the service or program.

All moneys collected under division (B) of this section shall be paid to the county treasurer of the county selected as the principal seat of that court of appeals for deposit into either a general special projects fund or a fund established for a specific special project. Moneys from a fund of that nature shall be disbursed upon an order of the court in an amount no greater than the actual cost to the court of a project. If a specific fund is terminated because of the discontinuance of a program or service established under division (B) of this section, the court may order that moneys remaining in the fund be transferred to an account established under this division for a similar purpose.

SECTION 2 .  That existing sections 1901.08, 1901.26, 1907.24, 1925.02, 1925.04, 1925.13, 2303.201, and 2501.16 and section 1925.08 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.

SECTION 3 .  Section 1901.26 of the Revised Code is presented in this act as a composite of the section as amended by Sub. H.B. 423, Am. Sub. H.B. 438, and Sub. H.B. 455 of the 121st General Assembly, with the new language of none of the acts shown in capital letters. This is in recognition of the principle stated in division (B) of section 1.52 of the Revised Code that such amendments are to be harmonized where not substantively irreconcilable and constitutes a legislative finding that such is the resulting version in effect prior to the effective date of this act.

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