SD House rejects court search fee increase

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PIERRE (AP) — The South Dakota House has rejected a measure that would increase search fees charged to people who want to see court records.

The proposal would raise the current $15 search fee to $25. The bill failed in the House on a vote of 45-21, falling two votes short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass measures raising fees.

However, supporters say they will ask the House to reconsider the proposal.

The fee applies to searches for criminal and civil records, but there is no charge when people request records dealing with themselves. The fee also applies for searches to check court case files unless the person requesting the information knows the file number.

The fee increase would replenish a fund the court system uses to upgrade its computerized management system.

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