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Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) announces Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 673, which authorizes San Bernardino County to continue collecting an existing $35 civil filing fee surcharge through January 1, 2039, aligning the fee’s expiration with the timeline for repaying bonds that funded the seismic retrofit and expansion of the historic San Bernardino County Courthouse. Without this legislation, the county’s authority to collect the fee would have ended in 2026, years before the debt is scheduled to be fully repaid.
“The courthouse project was about safety, access to justice, and long-term investment in our judicial infrastructure,” said Senator Ochoa Bogh. I want to thank the Governor for signing SB 673, and I’m deeply grateful to the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, court officials, and community advocates who supported this effort. Their collaboration and commitment to protecting our courthouse and public safety made this possible.”
The surcharge supports the Courthouse Construction Fund, which covered the costs of reinforcing the nearly century-old courthouse and building a new wing to meet the demands of a growing population.
“On behalf of the Board of Supervisors, I want to express our gratitude to Senator Ochoa Bogh for her leadership and commitment in carrying this bill,” said Chairman Dawn Rowe, Board of Supervisors of San Bernardino County. “This is a critical step in funding the proactive seismic upgrades to our historic Central Courthouse. This legislation directly supports public safety and fiscal integrity.”
SB 673 was sponsored by San Bernardino County and supported by local officials and stakeholders committed to completing the courthouse project responsibly.