The bill aims to revise court administration laws concerning family and housing cases by establishing a Civil Justice Improvements Grant Program, which will be managed by the Supreme Court Administrator. It creates a dedicated Civil Justice Improvements Account within the state special revenue fund, where a portion of increased filing fees will be deposited. The funds from this account are intended to enhance the administration of civil legal matters related to family and housing issues, improve court efficiency, and provide legal assistance to individuals with limited means. The bill also outlines the criteria for grant eligibility, prioritizing programs that address heavy caseloads and lack of access to legal services, particularly in areas with significant Indian populations.

Additionally, the bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to reflect these changes, including increasing certain district court filing fees and specifying the allocation of these fees to the new account. It mandates the Supreme Court Administrator to report on the account's revenue and the impact of funded programs on court efficiencies and caseloads by September 30, 2027. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2023, and will terminate on June 30, 2029.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 3-1-702, 3-2-714, 25-1-201, 25-9-506, 37-61-421, 44-7-202