(a) Increasing existing fees.--

(1) In counties of the second class A and the third through eighth class, including home rule counties of the same class, the clerk of courts may increase any fee or charge that exists as of the effective date of this section with the approval of the president judge. The amount of any increase may not be greater than the aggregate of the consumer price index from the month in which the fee was last established through June 1998.

(2) The amount of any fee or charge increased pursuant to paragraph (1) may be increased every three years, provided that the amount of the increase may not be greater than the percentage of increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Workers for the immediate three years preceding the last increase in the fee or charge.

(b) Automation fee for clerk of courts office.--In addition to any other fee authorized by law, an automation fee of not more than $5 may be charged and collected by the clerk of courts of counties of the second class A and the third through eighth class, including home rule counties of the same class, for the initiation of any action or legal proceeding. The automation fee shall be deposited into a special clerk of courts automation fund established in each county. Moneys in the special fund shall be used solely for the purpose of automation and continued automation update of the office of the clerk of courts.

(June 22, 2000, P.L.333, No.36, eff. 60 days)

2000 Amendment. Act 36 added section 1725.4.