GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1991

S	1 

SENATE BILL 374*

Short Title:  Civil Justice Act Funds.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Senators Martin of Guilford and Marvin.
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Referred to:  Appropriations.
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March 28, 1991

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO IMPLEMENT THE ACCESS TO CIVIL JUSTICE ACT.
Whereas, the General Assembly enacted the Access to Civil Justice Act in 1989, as Article 37A of Chapter 7A of the General Statutes, to provide access to legal representation for indigent persons in certain civil matters; and
Whereas, the General Assembly further enacted in 1989 an increase in the costs of court actions under Chapter 7A which generated over twelve million dollars ($12,000,000) per year for the General Fund, most of which was allocated to meet certain specified expansion needs of the courts system, including one million dollars ($1,000,000) per year for the Access  to Civil Justice Act; and
Whereas, a compelling need exists to continue to allocate a small percentage of this increase in the costs of participation in the court system to make justice available to those who otherwise cannot afford it; and
Whereas, over 6,000 North Carolinians have been represented in such matters as child support, family abuse, farm foreclosures, wills, Social Security disability, Medicare, and other benefits with funds provided under the Access to Civil Justice Act;  Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the North Carolina State Bar the sum of $1,000,000 for the 1991-92 fiscal year and $1,000,000 for the 1992-93 fiscal year to be allocated pursuant to Article 37A of Chapter 7A of the General Statutes.
Sec. 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1991.