Title
Title
Equal Access Fund | Distribution of One-Time Funding for Landlord-Tenant Issues (Action Required)
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Summary
Summary
The Budget Act of 2019 provides a one-time $20 million allocation to the judicial branch to augment the Equal Access Fund. Funds are to be used for qualified legal services providers and support centers to provide legal services to low-income persons for landlord-tenant issues, including legal assistance for counseling, renter education programs, and preventing evictions. The Budget Act provides that the Judicial Council allocate these funds to the State Bar, which distributes the funding to eligible legal services agencies. The State Bar’s Legal Services Trust Fund Commission requests Judicial Council approval of the distribution of the $20 million according to the formula specified in the Budget Act.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
The Legal Services Trust Fund Committee recommends, effective July 19, 2019, that the Judicial Council:
1. Direct staff to distribute Equal Access Funds to the State Bar for distribution to legal services agencies that meet the eligibility requirements set forth in the Budget Act; and
2. Report back to the Judicial Council on the initial grants made at its November 14-15, 2019 meeting.