SF 1282

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 02/23/2012 10:01am

A bill for an act
relating to courts; establishing 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 PROGRAM FOR COUNTY MEDIATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) For the 2012-2013 biennium, a pilot program is established to fund mediation
programs in Koochiching and Rice Counties. 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 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 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