For amend and vote only, the Senate Appropriations Committee heard SB 222 on the civil legal aid fund authored by Sen. Carrasco and Sen. Freeman. The bill limits how a legal services provider may use funds from the civil legal aid fund, relocates a provision concerning fund distribution, and repeals the distribution formula of the civil legal aid fund statute. The bill was … [Read more...] about Civil legal aid fund
Judicial Administration
Marion County small claims court jurisdiction, venue, and fees
The Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee heard SB 327 on Marion County small claims court jurisdiction, venue, and fees authored by Sen. Freeman. The bill does the following: Sen. Freeman informed the committee that a second reading amendment is needed to address the jurisdiction issue. A lobbyist for the Marion County Small Claims Courts, and a representative from the … [Read more...] about Marion County small claims court jurisdiction, venue, and fees
Prosecutors
For amend and vote only and upon recommitment, the Ways and MeansCommittee heard HB 1006 on prosecutors, authored by Rep. Jeter. The bill establishes a special prosecutor unit, a prosecutor review board, and a public prosecution fund. It sets guidelines and standards that allow counties to be eligible for reimbursement of prosecution-related expenses. The bill passed … [Read more...] about Prosecutors
Public service attorney scholarships
For amend and vote only and upon recommitment, the Ways and Means Committee heard HB 1049 on public service attorney scholarships authored by Rep. Steuerwald. The bill establishes a county deputy prosecuting attorney and public defender scholarship program and a scholarship fund. The Commission for Higher Education will administer both the program and the fund. The bill was … [Read more...] about Public service attorney scholarships
Funding for family recovery courts
The House Judiciary Committee heard HB 1107 on funding for family recovery courts, authored by Rep. Garcia Wilburn. This bill establishes the family recovery court fund that is continuously appropriated. It provides that family recovery courts target cases of abuse or neglect wherein a parent or primary caregiver suffers from a substance use disorder or co-occurring disorders and … [Read more...] about Funding for family recovery courts