The second time was the charm for a controversial increase in South Dakota court record fees.
After lengthy and occasionally testy debate, the South Dakota House of Representatives approved HB 1058, which would increase the fee for a court record search to $25 from $15.
The $15 fee was set in 1997.
Increasing the fee was projected to raise more than $1 million for the judicial system, which in large part would be used for technological advances.
Supporters said the increase was necessary to offset last year's cuts, pay for the technology upgrade and keep rural clerk of court offices open.
"If we do not pass this now, they will fall further back in some of their technological advances," said Rep. Dean Wink, R-Howes.
Opponents said it was a backdoor tax increase and unrelated to an actual increase in costs for the state's courts.
"Our fees should directly relate to the actual increase in costs for delivering service," said Rep. Stace Nelson, R-Fulton.
The bill at first fell just short of the two-thirds threshold required to pass a permanent fee increase with a 45-21 margin.
When reconsidered, several lawmakers changed their votes to push HB 1058 over the top. The final margin was 48-19, one more than necessary.
The bill now heads to the South Dakota Senate.