HB 24-1286 Summary

• Creates the Equal Justice Authority as a special purpose authority to distribute fees collected from court filings to fund civil legal aid services for low-income Coloradans.

• Imposes an "Equal Justice Fee" beginning January 1, 2025: $30 on appeals court filings, $30 on district court civil actions, $10 on county court civil actions, and $30 on probate filings (excludes small claims court).

• Distributes collected fees with 67% to the Colorado Legal Services Corporation recipient and 33% to qualified nonprofit civil legal aid providers serving people at or below 250% of federal poverty guidelines.

• Establishes a seven-member board appointed by the Chief Justice, Attorney General, Colorado Bar Association, Colorado Lawyer Trust Account Foundation, and Colorado Access to Justice Commission to oversee fund distribution and establish funding formulas.

• Requires annual reporting to the legislature on fees collected, distribution amounts, and types of legal services provided (housing, employment, health, education, family matters, immigration issues).