Taxation of sheriffs' fees; transmittal of books, papers, fees, and property to successor; disposition of unclaimed fees

Sec. 6. (a) The clerk of the supreme court shall tax and charge in favor of the sheriff of the supreme court, or in favor of county sheriffs for their services as the deputies of the sheriff of the supreme court, the fees and amounts provided by law. The fees and amounts described in this subsection do not belong to the state but are the property of the sheriff of the supreme court and the sheriff's agents. When the fees are collected, the fees shall be paid over to the sheriff or the sheriff's agents. (b) The clerk of the supreme court at the expiration of the clerk's term shall hand over to the clerk's successor in office all of the books, papers, fees, costs, charges, and amounts, together with all money and other property received by the clerk by virtue of the clerk's office or under color of that office. (c) The attorney general shall enforce the collection, for the use and benefit of the party entitled to them, all fees and amounts collected and retained by the person, including penalties, against any persons liable for the fees and amounts. All unclaimed fees collected under this chapter from former clerks that have been paid in for two (2) years and remain in the office of the clerk of the supreme court for six (6) months uncollected by the person to whom the fees are due, and all other unclaimed fees in the hands of the clerk of the supreme court, after the expiration of two (2) years from the date when the fees are paid to the clerk, shall be paid into the state treasury, to be held as other funds that escheat to the state. The clerk of the supreme court, when fees are paid into the office of the clerk for the benefit of any other officer or person, shall immediately notify that officer or person by mail that the fees have been paid, the date of payment, and the amount of the payment.