Section 36-18-8

Alabama Forensic Services Trust Fund - Fees charged for use of department personnel in private lawsuits; proceeds and earnings credited to fund.

(a) Beginning October 1, 1995, the Director of the Department of Forensic Sciences shall charge and collect three hundred dollars ($300) per hour for the use of department personnel in private lawsuits arising from death investigations and other criminal investigations the department conducts pursuant to Section 36-18-2.

(b) The fee shall be applied to time spent for any or all of the following:

(1) Preparation for trial.

(2) Testimony.

(3) Depositions.

(4) Travel.

(5) Consultations.

(6) Time spent in any additional actions imposed by private lawsuits arising from criminal investigations.

(c) Proceeds from the fees shall be forwarded by the department, no later than 30 days after collection, to the State Treasurer. All amounts received by the State Treasurer shall be credited to the Alabama Forensic Services Trust Fund and shall be administered by the Director of Forensic Sciences. The State Treasurer shall invest money in the fund as provided by law but all earnings from the fund shall be credited to the fund. Money in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall remain in the fund, and shall not revert to the General Fund. No funds shall be withdrawn or expended except as budgeted and allocated according to law and only in the amounts authorized by the Legislature in the general appropriation bill or other appropriation bills.

(Acts 1995, No. 95-734, p. 1568, §2.)