Title
Title
Equal Access Fund | Distribution of Funds for Partnership Grants and IOLTA-Formula Grants (Action Required)
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Summary
Summary
The Budget Act of 2020 includes over $23 million in the Equal Access Fund for general distribution to legal services providers and support centers. The funds are to be distributed primarily in two parts: IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts)-formula grants and partnership grants (with a small amount also distributed for administration). The Legal Services Trust Fund Commission of the State Bar recommends approving distribution of $21,169,328 in IOLTA-formula grants for fiscal year (FY) 2020-21, according to the statutory formula in the state Budget Act, and $2,423,410 in partnership grants for 2021. The commission further requests approval of its findings that the proposed budget for each individual grant complies with statutory and other relevant guidelines.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
The Legal Services Trust Fund Commission recommends that the Judicial Council, effective September 25, 2020, approve:
1. The distribution of $21,169,328 in IOLTA-formula grants for FY 2020-21 according to the terms of the state Budget Act;
2. The commission's determination that the proposed budget of each individual grant complies with statutory and other guidelines; and
3. The distribution of $2,423,410 in Equal Access Fund partnership grants to the following legal services agencies for programs conducted jointly with courts to provide legal assistance to self-represented litigants:
a. Bet Tzedek Legal Services
Self-Help Elder and Dependent Adult Restraining Order Clinic
(Los Angeles County) ............................................................................................$78,491
b. Central California Legal Services, Inc.
Guardianship Project ..............................................................................................$58,868
Tenant/Landlord Housing Law Project (Fresno) ...........
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