Title
Title
Equal Access Fund | Distribution of Funds for IOLTA-Formula Grants and Partnership Grants (Action Required)
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Summary
Summary
The Legal Services Trust Fund Commission recommends approving the distribution of up to $64,287,700 to the Legal Services Trust Fund Commission of the State Bar of California for the Equal Access Fund Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts-Formula Grants and Partnership Grants as authorized by the Budget Act of 2026 (Stats. 2026, ch. 21). The commission will allocate funds in the form of grants to legal services providers and support centers. These resources are designated for legal assistance in civil matters for indigent individuals and self-represented litigants, with the goal of enhancing equal access and promoting the fair administration of justice as authorized by the Budget Act. The Budget Act also includes administrative funds to the Judicial Council for its oversight of the grant.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
The Legal Services Trust Fund Commission recommends that the Judicial Council, effective October 16, 2026:
1. Approve the distribution of up to $64,287,700 to the State Bar of California for the Equal Access Fund Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA)-Formula Grants and Partnership Grants, as authorized by the Budget Act of 2026 (Stats. 2026, ch 21), including:
a. Up to $1,172,600 for administration of the program by the State Bar.
b. Ninety percent of the total, after administrative costs, or up to $56,803,590, to be distributed through IOLTA-Formula Grants to fund legal services in civil cases for individuals who cannot afford them. Fifteen percent of that allocation will support centers offering technical and legal assistance to legal services providers.
c. Ten percent of the total, after administrative costs, or up to $6,311,510 to be distributed through Partnership Grants to legal services providers collaborating with the courts on projects that offer legal assistance to self-represented litigants.
2. Approve the grant awards recommended by the commission.
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