SB 133 Summary

• Establishes the California Access to Justice Commission as a nonprofit public benefit corporation to receive legislative funding and administer programs supporting equal access to justice, including a loan repayment assistance program for legal aid attorneys.

• Extends remote proceeding authorization in civil and juvenile justice cases until January 1, 2026, with specific technology and reporting standards, while prohibiting courts from requiring parties to appear remotely.

• Makes permanent several court filing fees that were previously set to sunset: $40 supplemental fee for first papers in civil cases, $60 fee for subsequent motions, and $1,000 complex case fee with $18,000 cap on total defendant fees.

• Delays implementation of public lactation room requirements in courthouses from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2026.

• Requires Judicial Council to establish standards for appointment of private counsel in cases under the California Racial Justice Act, including minimum 10-hour training requirement approved for continuing legal education credit.