SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Division has announced a new two-year budget. With funding for the courts, civil legal services, guardians ad litem, Department of Human Rights, public defenders and more, the budget helps ensure all Minnesotans can access justice, fully enjoy their civil rights, and can be treated with dignity and respect in their communities.
A summary of the House DFL judiciary budget can be downloaded here, and a spreadsheet is available here.
“We’ve heard stories from too many Minnesotans who have experienced barriers as they seek access to justice and to be treated fairly,” said Rep. John Lesch (DFL – Saint Paul), Chair of the House Judiciary Division. “I’m proud of the bipartisan work we’ve done in this budget which reflects these core values through increased investments in our courts, reforms to certain fines and penalties, and other strategies which will improve opportunities for everyone.”
The budget includes increased funding for Minnesota’s courts system, including psychological services, treatment courts, cybersecurity, and new judge positions. It also increases funding for the Guardian ad Litem Board, Board of Judicial Standards and Tax Court. To reduce caseloads and increase capacity to handle complex cases, the budget funds 31 new public defender positions in Fiscal Year 2020 and another 19 the following fiscal year.
To address Minnesota’s significant disparities regarding education, employment, and economic opportunity, the budget funds increased resources for the Department of Human Rights, including three new offices throughout the state. This is an important priority in Governor Walz’s budget proposal.
A bipartisan effort to give judges discretion to reduce or waive fines and fees for traffic, parking and minor criminal violations based on financial hardship is included in the budget. Fines and surcharges for a basic traffic ticket can often exceed $100, which is a significant financial hardship for many families. Late fees and collection charges can then lead to driver’s license suspensions and other subsequent consequences like loss of employment and mounting debt.
Other initiatives in the budget include changes to Minnesota’s criminal forfeiture laws and elimination of administrative forfeiture, the creation of a Legislative Commission on Intelligence and Technology, and framework for cooperative private divorce, allowing parties who mutually agree to lessen conflict by bypassing the courts. HF 10, legislation to strengthen protections against sexual harassment which was previously passed by the House, is included in the budget as well.
The Judiciary Division will listen to public testimony on the budget at a public hearing Thursday, April 4 at 9:45 a.m. in Room 10 of the State Office Building, and is scheduled to take official action on the proposal at the same time and location on Tuesday, April 9.