SCS SB 447, HCA 1 -- BASIC CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FUND

SPONSOR:  Bartle (Byrd)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Judiciary by a vote of 18 to 0.

This substitute creates the Basic Civil Legal Services Fund.  The
fund will increase the public money available for civil legal
services for low-income persons, as defined by the federal Legal
Services Corporation Income Eligibility Guidelines.  To fund the
program, a $20 fee will be assessed upon the filing of every
civil or criminal proceeding in appellate courts; a $10 fee in
circuit courts; and an $8 fee in associate circuit courts.  The
Missouri Supreme Court or its designee will administer the fund.

HCA 1 -- Requires the Supreme Court to report to the General
Assembly every year on the moneys collected and disbursed
pursuant to this law by judicial circuit; prohibits the extra
fees from being collected in traffic violation cases; and extends
the sunset provision by one year from December 31, 2006, to
December 31, 2007.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not available at time of printing.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the substitute is vitally
important because so many low-income persons are effectively
denied access to courts because they cannot retain legal counsel.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Bartle; Missouri Bar; and
Legal Aid of Western Missouri.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Julie Jinkens McNitt, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:13 am