Alaska2026Passed Legislature

SB1

SB1: Civil Legal Services Fund Appropriations

Last scannedSep 20, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This bill changes the law to allow up to 25 percent of court filing fees, instead of 10 percent, to be used for a fund that pays organizations providing legal help to low-income people in Alaska.

Changes the maximum amount of money from court filing fees that can go into the civil legal services fund from 10 percent to 25 percent.
Allows the legislature to give money from this specific source and other general funds to groups offering civil legal aid.
Defines a low-income individual as someone earning at or below 125 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for Alaska set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Clarifies that this law does not create a dedicated fund.

The State Legislature when deciding on budget amounts.
Organizations that provide civil legal services to low-income individuals in Alaska.
Low-income individuals who need help with non-criminal legal issues.
The Alaska Court System regarding the use of filing fees.

The bill does not say exactly how much money will be given out, only that it can come from up to 25 percent of filing fees plus other general funds.
It is unclear if the fund has enough current deposits to support new appropriations immediately.

Plain language

Appropriation: An official act by the legislature to set aside money for a specific purpose.
Civil legal services: Legal help provided to low-income individuals, as defined in this bill.
Federal poverty guidelines: Income levels set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services used to determine who qualifies as a low-income individual for this fund.

Official record

Validated

CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FUND An Act relating to appropriations to the civil legal services fund.

Official activity