HF 873

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 02/25/2013 02:17pm

A bill for an act
relating to courts; authorizing a pilot program to fund a mediation program in Rice
County through a surcharge on district court filing fees; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin PILOT PROGRAM FOR RICE COUNTY MEDIATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) Rice County may expand its dispute resolution program to include a pilot
program to provide mediation for low-income parties in dissolution of marriage
proceedings and use the funds under paragraph (b) for that purpose.
new text end

new text begin (b) If the Rice County Board of Commissioners authorizes expansion of the dispute
resolution program and imposition of the surcharges, the district court in Rice County
shall impose, and the court administrator shall collect, a $3 surcharge on each party that
pays a civil filing fee and a $2 surcharge on every person convicted of a misdemeanor or
petty misdemeanor on the state payables list.
new text end

new text begin (c) The court administrator shall transmit the surcharges collected under paragraph
(b) to the commissioner of management and budget. The surcharges are deposited in a
Rice County surcharge account in the special revenue fund and the amounts collected are
appropriated to the state court administrator for a grant to Rice County for the mediation
program for use until expended. Amounts received under this paragraph are in addition to
any other funds received for the Rice County mediation program.
new text end

new text begin (d) By March 15, 2017, the district court administrator and mediation program
director in Rice County shall submit a report to the state court administrator, and the house
of representatives and senate committees having jurisdiction over judiciary, describing
and analyzing the results of the county's program, including party satisfaction with the
process of alternative dispute resolution and the number of cases mediated.
new text end

new text begin (e) This section expires June 30, 2017.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013.
new text end