The bill amends AS 37.05.590 to establish the civil legal services fund as a special account within the general fund of Alaska. It allows the legislature to appropriate funds to this account from amounts deposited into the general fund under AS 09.17.020(j) and specifies that the legislature may also allocate up to 25 percent of the filing fees collected by the Alaska Court System during the previous closed fiscal year. This change increases the percentage from the previous limit of 10 percent.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that appropriations from the civil legal services fund can be made to 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. Importantly, the bill states that nothing in this section creates a dedicated fund, ensuring flexibility in the use of these appropriated funds.

Statutes affected:
HB0048A, AM HB 48, introduced 01/22/2025: 37.05.590