(a) The judicial council may fix, charge and collect fees for sale and distribution of legal publications in order to recover direct and indirect costs incurred for preparation, publication and distribution of legal publications. The judicial council may request and accept gifts, grants and donations from any person, firm, association or corporation or from the federal government or any agency thereof for preparation, publication or distribution of legal publications.

(b) The publications fee fund of the judicial council that was established in the state treasury pursuant to appropriation acts is hereby continued in existence and shall be administered by the judicial council. Revenue from the fees collected under this section shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the state general fund. All moneys received as gifts, grants or donations for preparation, publication or distribution of legal publications shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the publications fee fund.

(c) Moneys deposited in the publications fee fund of the judicial council may be expended for operating expenditures related to preparation, publication and distribution of legal publications of the judicial council and for operating expenses that are not related to publication activities.

(d) All expenditures from the publications fee fund shall be made in accordance with appropriation acts upon warrants of the director of accounts and reports issued pursuant to vouchers approved by the chairperson of the judicial council or the chairperson’s designee.