1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to judiciary; providing back pay and compensation adjustments to 
1.3 	contract court interpreters; appropriating money;amending Minnesota Statutes 
1.4 	2012, section 480.182; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, 
1.5 	chapter 480.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. [480.176] COURT INTERPRETERS; CONTRACTS.
1.8 	If a state court enters into a contract for court interpreter services, the contract 
1.9 	must provide a compensation rate increase for interpreters at the same rate as any 
1.10 	across-the-board rate increase for interpreters who are state employees in the judicial 
1.11 	branch.

1.12 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2014, and applies to any 
1.13 	contracts entered into or renewed on or after that date.

1.14 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 480.182, is amended to read:
1.15 	480.182 STATE ASSUMPTION OF CERTAIN COURT COSTS.
1.16 	 Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the state courts will pay for the following 
1.17 	court-related programs and costs:
1.18 	(1) court interpreter program costs, including the costs of hiring and placing staff 
1.19 	and contract court interpreters;
1.20 	(2) guardian ad litem program and personnel costs;
1.21 	(3) examination costs, not including hospitalization or treatment costs, for mental 
1.22 	commitments and related proceedings under chapter 253B;
1.23 	(4) examination costs under rule 20 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure;
2.1 	(5) in forma pauperis costs;
2.2 	(6) costs for transcripts mandated by statute, except in appeal cases and 
2.3 	postconviction cases handled by the Board of Public Defense;
2.4 	(7) jury program costs; and
2.5 	(8) witness fees and mileage fees specified in sections 253B.23, subdivision 1; 
2.6 	260B.152, subdivision 2; 260B.331, subdivision 3, clause (1); 260C.152, subdivision 2; 
2.7 	260C.331, subdivision 3, clause (1); 357.24; 357.32; and 627.02.

2.8 	Sec. 3. CONTRACT COURT INTERPRETERS; BACK PAY; ONETIME PAY 
2.9 	ADJUSTMENT.
 2.10 		Subdivision 1.Back pay required. The Supreme Court shall pay to each eligible 
2.11 	person a lump-sum payment equal to the compensation amount calculated in subdivision 
2.12 	3, paragraph (b).
2.13 		Subd. 2.Compensation adjustment. The Supreme Court shall set compensation 
2.14 	rates for eligible contracts in the amount calculated in subdivision 3, paragraph (c), but in 
2.15 	no instance shall the compensation rate be lowered.
2.16 		Subd. 3.Calculations. (a) The Supreme Court shall calculate the cost-of-living 
2.17 	adjustment percentage received each year by staff court interpreters across the board 
2.18 	beginning in 2000.
2.19 	(b) For each eligible person, the court shall determine what compensation the person 
2.20 	would have received had the person under contract received the same percentage increase 
2.21 	under paragraph (a) from calendar year 2000 or the initial contract date, whichever is 
2.22 	later, through calendar year 2013.
2.23 	(c) The Supreme Court shall calculate compensation rates for contract court 
2.24 	interpreters at a rate equivalent to the salaried hourly rates established for staff court 
2.25 	interpreters employed by the judicial branch.
2.26 		Subd. 4.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have 
2.27 	the meanings given.
2.28 	(b) "Eligible person" means a court interpreter under contract with the state of 
2.29 	Minnesota on and before the effective date of this section.
2.30 	(c) "Eligible contract" means a contract with the state of Minnesota for court 
2.31 	interpreter services in effect, renewed, or created on or after July 1, 2014.

2.32 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section applies to court interpreters under contract with 
2.33 	the state of Minnesota on July 1, 2014.

2.34 	Sec. 4. CONTRACT COURT INTERPRETERS; APPROPRIATION.
 3.1 	$....... in fiscal year 2015 is appropriated from the general fund to the Supreme 
3.2 	Court for costs associated with this act.