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HF 1373

State Board of Civil Legal Aid funding provided, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brion Curran and 2 co-sponsors

The bill authorizes and funds the State Board of Civil Legal Aid to distribute state dollars to civil legal aid providers, expanding access for low-income Minnesotans.

Author added Reyer
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 1373

Summary of HF 1373 (2025-2026) – State Board of Civil Legal Aid Funding Provided, and Money Appropriated

Purpose and intent

HF 1373 proposes funding and operational support for Minnesota’s civil legal aid system through the State Board of Civil Legal Aid. The bill aims to ensure sustained financial resources to provide legal assistance to low-income individuals and families in civil matters (e.g., housing, family law, consumer issues, employment, and other non-criminal legal needs). The overall goal is to improve access to justice by increasing and stabilizing funding for civil legal aid programs within the state.

Key provisions and changes

  • Funding authorization and appropriation: The bill authorizes and appropriates funds specifically for the State Board of Civil Legal Aid to distribute to eligible civil legal aid providers. The exact dollar amounts, funding sources, and allocation methods are not detailed in the provided summary, but the core intent is to ensure dedicated appropriations.
  • Program administration: The State Board of Civil Legal Aid would likely be empowered to administer grants, determine funding priorities, monitor program performance, and ensure compliance with state procurement and reporting requirements. This may include periodic reporting to the Legislature on outcomes and expenditures.
  • Allocation criteria: Provisions are expected to outline criteria for distributing funds to civil legal aid organizations, prioritizing services to low-income Minnesotans and possibly specifying service areas (e.g., housing, domestic relations, custody, eviction prevention) or populations (e.g., seniors, veterans, children).
  • Reporting and oversight: The bill likely includes requirements for annual reporting on fund utilization, outcomes (e.g., individuals served, case outcomes, cost per case), and accountability measures to ensure funds are used effectively.

Who would be affected

  • Civil legal aid providers: Organizations that offer free or low-cost legal services to eligible residents would receive state funding to sustain and expand their operations.
  • Low-income Minnesotans: Individuals needing civil legal assistance would benefit from increased access to legal help and potentially more stable, timely outcomes in civil matters.
  • State agency and judiciary stakeholders: The State Board of Civil Legal Aid and related state bodies would gain funding responsibilities, reporting duties, and oversight obligations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status as of 2025-04-21: Author added Reyer; previously introduced and referred to the Judiciary Finance and Civil Law committee on 2025-02-24.
  • Legislative path: As a fiscal/appropriation bill, it will move through the legislative cycle with potential hearings in the Judiciary Finance and Civil Law committee, amendments, and floor votes in the Minnesota House. If advanced, it would proceed to the Senate with analogous committee consideration and votes.
  • Effective date: The summary does not specify a concrete effective date; typically, appropriations bills include an effective date (often July 1 following passage or another defined date). The bill would need to pass both chambers and be signed by the governor to become law; timing would determine when funds become available.

Notes

  • The summary provided is based on the bill title and action history. For precise dollar figures, specific grant criteria, eligibility thresholds, match requirements (if any), and the exact timeline, the bill text and fiscal note would be required.
  • Co-sponsors include Cedrick Frazier, Brion Curran, and Liz Reyer, indicating bipartisan or cross-chamber support in introducing the measure.

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

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