ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  HOUSE JUDICIARY STANDING COMMITTEE  February 20, 2017 3:44 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Matt Claman, Chair Representative Zach Fansler, Vice Chair Representative Chuck Kopp Representative Lora Reinbold MEMBERS ABSENT  Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins Representative Gabrielle LeDoux Representative David Eastman Representative Louise Stutes (alternate) Representative Charisse Millett (alternate) COMMITTEE CALENDAR  HOUSE BILL NO. 106 "An Act allowing appropriations to the civil legal services fund from court filing fees." - MOVED HB 106 OUT OF COMMITTEE PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION  BILL: HB 106 SHORT TITLE: CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FUND SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) FANSLER 02/06/17 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 02/06/17 (H) JUD, FIN 02/15/17 (H) JUD AT 1:30 PM GRUENBERG 120 02/15/17 (H) Heard & Held 02/15/17 (H) MINUTE(JUD) 02/20/17 (H) JUD AT 1:30 PM GRUENBERG 120 WITNESS REGISTER NO WITNESSES TO REPORT ACTION NARRATIVE 3:44:47 PM CHAIR MATT CLAMAN called the House Judiciary Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:44 p.m. Representatives Fansler, Kopp, Reinbold, and Claman were present at the call to order. HB 106-CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FUND  3:45:30 PM CHAIR CLAMAN announced that the only order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 106, "An Act allowing appropriations to the civil legal services fund from court filing fees." 3:46:09 PM CHAIR CLAMAN, after ascertaining no one wished to testify, said he would not reopen public testimony. 3:46:54 PM REPRESENTATIVE FANSLER summarized his previous testimony and reminded the committee that HB 106 is merely a mechanism that sets forth a process in which the legislature can designate a portion of the funds received from court fees to the Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALS). He related that this bill, in no manner, forces future legislatures to appropriate these funds because each year the funds would be at the legislature's discretion to appropriate anywhere from zero dollars to 25 percent. He further reminded the committee that ALS was set up to provide civil representation for all Alaskans with the greatest need. He explained that beneficiaries include: elders, veterans, children, and those with the most need. The funding does not go to criminal cases, abortion related litigation, representation of undocumented immigrants except where human trafficking is involved, class actions, prisoners, eviction from public housing due to illegal drug use, or cases where a private attorney would take the case on a contingency fee basis - meaning no tort liability, he stressed. There are numerous offices throughout the state assisting low income Alaskans with invaluable services and, he commented, ALS "does a lot with a little." He then stated he considers it an honor to work with ALS as a pro bono attorney. 3:50:26 PM REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD asked whether Representatives Claman and Fansler were pro bono attorneys for ALS. CHAIR CLAMAN confirmed that he, also, performs pro bono work for ALS. 3:50:50 PM REPRESENTATIVE KOPP moved to report HB 106, Version 30-LS0397\A out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 106 passed out of the House Judiciary Standing Committee. 3:52:05 PM ADJOURNMENT  There being no further business before the committee, the House Judiciary Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 3:52 p.m.