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HB 385

Civil Legal Assistance Fund; increase certain fees for deposit into and require those monies to be allocated to the Mississippi Center for Legal Services.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Percy Watson

HB 385 raises unspecified fees to fund the Mississippi Center for Legal Services, expanding civil legal aid access while potentially increasing costs for court system users.

Referred To Judiciary A;Appropriations A
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Bill Summary · HB 385

Legislative bill overview

HB 385 proposes increasing certain fees in Mississippi with the requirement that the additional revenue be deposited into a dedicated Civil Legal Assistance Fund. These funds would then be allocated to the Mississippi Center for Legal Services, which provides legal aid to low-income residents who cannot afford representation.

Why is this important

Legal aid is critical infrastructure for ensuring access to justice for economically disadvantaged populations. Expanding funding for civil legal services can help vulnerable Mississippians address issues like eviction, domestic violence, family law, and consumer disputes. However, the bill's funding mechanism—raising fees—creates a direct cost to those using the legal system.

Potential points of contention

  • Fee increases as regressive funding: Raising court or administrative fees impacts court users directly, potentially burdening lower-income litigants who are already struggling financially
  • Clarity on which fees: The bill language refers to "certain fees" without specifying which ones, raising questions about scope and predictability of the cost burden
  • Allocation methodology: Details about how the Mississippi Center for Legal Services would receive and distribute funds are not specified, leaving questions about oversight and effectiveness

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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