HF 1604

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 04/28/2011 09:57am

A bill for an act
relating to courts; authorizing a pilot program to fund mediation programs in
Koochiching and Rice Counties 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 PROGRAMS FOR COUNTY MEDIATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) For the 2012-2013 biennium, Koochiching and Rice Counties each may establish
a pilot program to fund a mediation program in that county. Koochiching County may
use the funds under paragraph (b) to develop and implement a mediation program in
compliance with the guidelines for community dispute resolution programs and training
programs adopted under Minnesota Statutes, section 494.015. Rice County may use the
funds under paragraph (b) to expand its dispute resolution program to provide mediation
to low income parties in actions for dissolution of marriage.
new text end

new text begin (b) The district court in each of Koochiching and Rice Counties, if a pilot program
is established by that county under paragraph (a), shall assess a surcharge in the amount
of $3 to each party that pays a civil filing fee. The district court of each county shall
impose a $2 assessment on every person convicted of any felony, gross misdemeanor,
misdemeanor, or petty misdemeanor offense. The court administrator of the district
court in each county shall transmit the surcharges collected under this paragraph to the
commissioner of management and budget for deposit in a Koochiching County surcharge
account or a Rice County surcharge account in the special revenue fund as appropriate and
amounts in each account are appropriated to that county's board of commissioners for its
mediation program under this section. The total amount available under this paragraph
for each county's program is $20,000 for each year of the biennium. Assessed amounts
of each county's surcharge greater than $40,000 for the biennium shall be used for an
independent evaluation of each county's program. Any remaining amount shall be used
for the county's report under paragraph (c), and if any amounts remain after the report is
completed, that money shall be used, until expended, for the continuance of the mediation
program beyond the end date of the pilot program. Any amounts received under this
paragraph are in addition to any other funds received for that county's mediation program.
new text end

new text begin (c) By March 15, 2013, the district court administrator and mediation program in
each of Koochiching and Rice Counties, if a pilot program is established by that county
under paragraph (a), shall submit a report to the state court administrator and the house of
representatives and senate committees having jurisdiction over the judiciary describing
and analyzing the results of that county's program, including, at least, party satisfaction
with the process of alternative dispute resolution and the number of cases mediated.
new text end

new text begin (d) This section expires June 30, 2013.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end