Bill > HB331

This bill makes several changes to Pennsylvania law, primarily concerning court expenses and access to justice funding. It increases the annual registration fee paid by the Office of the Court Administrator for magisterial district judges, Philadelphia Municipal Court judges, and Philadelphia Traffic Court judges from $200 to $400 per position, and clarifies that other expenses for these judges, excluding the cost of publishing a monthly legal journal, will be funded through appropriations for magisterial district judge education. Additionally, starting July 1, 2025, and expiring on June 30, 2028, any costs charged by magisterial district judges that would normally go to the Commonwealth will be deposited into a specific restricted account, without affecting funds payable to counties. The bill also removes an exception that previously exempted certain traffic offenses from a surcharge, meaning these offenses will now contribute to the account. Finally, it mandates that the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, a legislative oversight body, conduct a performance audit by June 15, 2026, of the account that receives these funds, to examine the provision of civil legal aid services, including the scope of services, organizations receiving funds, the assessment and collection of fees and surcharges, and potential increases in deposits if the surcharge exception is repealed.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Justice

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=331