Fiscal Note - SB 0093 - Court Costs Need Not Be Paid by Indigent Persons Represented by Legal Aid Society
L.R. NO. 0501-01
BILL NO. SB 93
SUBJECT: Public Assistance: Court Costs
TYPE: Original
DATE: January 20, 1997
FISCAL SUMMARY
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 1998 FY 1999 FY 2000
None
Total Estimated
Net Effect on All
State Funds $0 $0 $0
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 1998 FY 1999 FY 2000
None
Total Estimated
Net Effect on All
Federal Funds $0 $0 $0
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 1998 FY 1999 FY 2000
Local Government $0 $0 $0
FISCAL ANALYSIS
ASSUMPTION
Officials from the Office of State Courts Administrator (CTS) assume the
proposed legislation could cause a decrease in revenues from fees, costs and
surcharges; however, civil plaintiffs are currently allowed to proceed as
paupers in certain situations. Therefore, CTS assumes that any decrease in
revenue would likely be small.
Officials from the Office of the State Public Defender assume the proposed
legislation would have no fiscal impact on their agency.
FISCAL IMPACT - State Government FY 1998 FY 1999 FY 2000
(10 Mo.)
$0 $0 $0
FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government FY 1998 FY 1999 FY 2000
(10 Mo.)
$0 $0 $0
FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business
No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of
this proposal.
DESCRIPTION
The proposed legislation would allow poor persons represented by a
not-for-profit legal aid society to file a civil suit without paying the
costs or expenses related to the prosecution of such suit. This would be
allowed without court review and approval if the lawyer certifies to the
Court Clerk that his client cannot afford to pay such fees.
This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other
program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental
space.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Office of State Courts Administrator
Office of the State Public Defender
This Fiscal Note is not an official copy and should not be quoted or cited.