SCS/HCS/HB 427 - This act establishes the "Basic Civil Legal Services Fund". The fund is to be administered by the Missouri Supreme Court. Moneys for the fund shall come from an additional filing fee on certain civil and criminal actions of $20 in the Missouri Supreme Court and courts of appeal, $10 in the circuit courts and $10 in the associate circuit courts. The fee shall not be assessed in cases charging traffic violations, except alcohol-related offenses.

Moneys from the fund shall be disbursed to legal services organizations in this state to provide legal representation to eligible low-income persons in this state in civil matters. Recipient organizations must maintain appropriate records of the disbursement of such funds for five years.

Moneys in the fund shall not be used to pay any refund mandated by Article X, Section 18 of the Missouri Constitution.

This act is similar to SB 447 (2003).
JIM ERTLE