This bill amends the existing law regarding the civil legal services fund in Alaska. It establishes the fund as a special account within the general fund, which will consist of appropriations made to it. The key change in the bill is that the legislature may now appropriate up to 25 percent of the filing fees received by the Alaska Court System during the previous closed fiscal year, an increase from the previous limit of 10 percent. The appropriations from this fund are intended to support organizations that provide civil legal services to low-income individuals, defined as those with an income at or below 125 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for Alaska.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that the establishment of this fund does not create a dedicated fund, meaning that the funds can be appropriated as needed rather than being earmarked for a specific purpose. This change aims to enhance the financial resources available for civil legal services, thereby improving access to legal assistance for low-income residents in Alaska.

Statutes affected:
SB0001A, AM SB 1, introduced 01/10/2025: 37.05.590