HCS/SB 769 - This act alters the percentage of court fees which are paid to the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund relative to the percentage of fees that are paid to the Services to Victims Fund.

Current law provides that 75% of remaining funds raised through court fees (after funds are distributed to the State Forensic Laboratory Account) shall be deposited in the Compensation Fund and 25% deposited in the Services Fund. Under this proposal, 50% would be deposited in each fund if the balance in the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund exceeds one million dollars plus one hundred percent of the expenditures from the previous twelve months. However, if the balance of both funds is less than such amount, the distribution will revert back to the 75/25 distribution. This provision takes effect on October 1, 1996.

Current law also provides that a $5 fee shall be assessed for violations of criminal laws of the state and certain municipal and county ordinances, except for violations of Chapter 252, RSMo, (Fish and Game), or its rules and regulations and certain nonmoving traffic violations. This act removes these exceptions.

For certain crimes, such as littering and abandoning a motor vehicle, there shall be no additional $10 fee pursuant to Section 595.025, RSMo.

The Crime Victims' Compensation Fund is used to make awards to injured victims of crime (defined in Section 595.010, RSMo) and the Services to Victims Fund is used to contract with private entities that would provide counseling and related services to victims.

Finally, a person filing for victims' compensation must file such action within two years rather than one year, as current law allows.
JAMES KLAHR