SB 62-CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FUND  2:49:25 PM CHAIR HOLLIS FRENCH announced the consideration of SB 62. SENATOR MCGUIRE, sponsor of SB 62, said the bill would allow appropriations into the Alaska Legal Services Fund equivalent to 25 percent of the filing fees paid to the court system during the previous fiscal year. Right now these filing fees go into the general fund. For over 40 years Alaska Legal Services Corporation has been helping low-income Alaskans who need representation, and the corporation's state funds are dwindling. She said that Alaska Legal Services helps families who are in true crisis, including families experiencing domestic violence, as well as many senior citizens. 2:52:30 PM SENATOR COGHILL asked how many corporations like this have a dedicated fund to go to. SENATOR MCGUIRE responded she would get the information. CHAIR FRENCH mentioned that the Sea Life Center, among others, can receive corporate donations and then the corporations can get credits against their state taxes. SENATOR COGHILL replied both tax credits and grants are prolific but there are few places in the statutes authorize a private corporation to receive an appropriation from a specific area. 2:53:54 PM NIKOLE NELSON, Executive Director, Alaska Legal Services Corporation, said the ALSC mission is to provide meaningful access to justice for low income Alaskans, thus promoting family stability, safety, and reducing the legal consequences of poverty. In the last year they helped over 400 victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, as well as 600 Alaska seniors. The corporation also helped 300 disabled individuals get access to Social Security and health care benefits, and it helped 349 families to fight homelessness. Ms. Nelson noted that 38 percent of the clients they served last year lived in rural communities. 2:56:53 PM The bad news, she said, is that last year ALSC turned away hundreds of families because it lacked the staffing resources to help them. While the ALSC client base is growing each year, funding has decreased. The percentage of people living in poverty in Alaska is higher than it has been in 15 years. In 2009 ALSC received over 3,400 inquiries, and 2,834 applications for help. They need to bridge the gap between those who need ALCS services and those who are able to get them. SB 62 is part of the solution. 2:58:54 PM VANCE SANDERS, Attorney and President, Alaska Legal Services Corporation, said he worked for ALSC as an attorney from 1982- 1992, and he is now an attorney in private practice. Mr. Sanders said that ALSC has tried to go to every available funding source it can think of. The corporation was founded by Congress but is independent of government control, so as to meet the needs of the people it serves. While ALSC still receives federal money, the reality is that federal funding will no longer be reliable. The corporation has tried to fill the gap but state funding has gone from $1.2 million in 1984 to $350,000 in the governor's budget this year. If ALSC is going to fight domestic violence and help people in need, it must be funded. MR. SANDERS said three years ago, with help from Senator Thomas, ALSC was able to amend the punitive damages statute so that the fifty percent that goes to the state would be available for appropriation. However, the Legislature has never appropriated that money. ALSC is hoping that the Legislature will appropriate that money as well as the civil filing fees in court cases. This would be extremely helpful. He also emphasized that legal services helps judges, because it cuts the number of pro se cases. 3:03:03 PM KATE BURKHART, Executive Director, Alaska Mental Health Board and the Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, stated that she does not speak for the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS). She is speaking on behalf of these boards to support SB 62 because of the direct benefit to Alaskans experiencing mental illness and substance use disorders, as well as their families and communities. Those who experience a mental health disorder often live in poverty, and living in poverty means having to go to the justice system for basic human needs, such as fair housing and access to health care. Most people do not understand how difficult it is to access the justice system if you live in poverty. Add to that a disability, such as mental illness, and it is almost impossible without a professional advocate. Representing someone experiencing a mental health disorder requires a great deal of patience and time, and a fair amount of specialization. The nonprofit, public interest law firms in Alaska, such as ALSC offer this in a way that is not often offered to the constituency it represents. 3:06:17 PM MS. BURKHARDT said the majority of people that Alaska Legal Services serves are affected by mental health issues, and often alcoholism and addiction. By insuring access to the justice system through competent legal services, SB 62 provides a unique benefit to the clients served by the boards on which she serves. CHAIR FRENCH announced he would hold SB 62 in committee. 3:06:32 PM There being no further business to come before the committee, Chair French adjourned the meeting at