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Advocates press for civil legal aid, restorative‑justice funding and elimination of court security fee
Summary
Community legal aid providers, restorative‑justice groups and public commenters urged the Joint Finance Committee to fund civil legal services, expand restorative justice programs and move court security fees to the General Fund, citing access to counsel and equity concerns.
During public comment at the Joint Finance Committee hearing, legal‑aid and community organizations urged lawmakers to increase funding for civil indigent legal services and restorative justice programs and to consider eliminating court fees that are levied only on convicted defendants.
Dan Atkins, executive director of Community Legal Aid Society (CLASI), asked the committee to fund civil legal services at a higher level than the longstanding $600,000 state allocation. Atkins said the Joint Finance Committee had recommended $1 million in the governor’s supplemental proposal for FY26, and explained that without increased state support CLASI must close intake in key programs because of limited funds: “Due to funding limitations though, we have to…
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