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Minutes for SB20 - Committee on Judiciary
Short Title
Extending the judicial branch surcharge to fund the costs of non-judicial personnel.
Minutes Content for Thu, Mar 7, 2019
Chairperson Patton opened a hearing on SB20.
Natalie Scott, Assistant Revisor, provided an overview of SB20. (Attachment 7) Ms. Scott addressed questions from the membership.
Stephanie Bunten testified in support of SB20 stating both the statutes regarding the surcharge and the Supreme Court Order authorizing the surcharge are effective only to the end of the present fiscal year. The Judicial Branch FY2020 and FY2021 budgets include revenue from the surcharge. Without passage of this bill, each budget will be reduced by approximately $9 million. The extension of the surcharge is important to continued funding of the Courts. The surcharge will continue generating revenue necessary to help fund employee wages and salaries. The surcharge also allows the Legislature to use funds that otherwise would be appropriated to the Judicial Branch for other necessary expenditures, while helping to keep the courts open. (Attachment 8) She stood for questions.
Joseph N. Molina testified in support of SB20 stating the Kansas Bar Association has a long-standing policy of supporting proposals that strengthen the judicial branch and maintain the highest level of service to Kansas citizens, businesses and communities. The extension of the judicial branch surcharge fund is one such proposal. The surcharge fund, created during a period of economic hardship, is a mechanism that allows the courts to raise revenue not readily available through normal state appropriations. This fund helped the court avoid damaging furloughs and court closures in the past. While that may not be the case currently, the surcharge fund is still a significant contributor to the overall judicial branch budget. An adequately funded court system ensures a citizen’s right to meaningful access to the courts. A properly funded judicial system also allows for the efficient application of the legal process for lawyers and litigants. Mr Molina stated, if steps are not taken to extend the surcharge fee, the judicial branch could suffer significant financial hardship, and in turn, subject Kansans to an inefficient court system. (Attachment 9) He stood for questions.
The following individual submitted written testimony in support of SB20.
- Hon. Merlin Wheeler, Kansas District Judges Association (Attachment 10)
No testimony neutral or in opposition to SB20 was presented to the Committee.
Chairperson Patton asked the membership to refer to the additional written testimony in their folder, and closed the hearing on SB20.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:08 pm.
