Senate Bill No. 165 Summary

• Creates the "Basic Civil Legal Services Fund" in the state treasury, administered by the Missouri Supreme Court, funded by court filing surcharges under section 488.031 and other public or private sources.

• Requires annual allocation and distribution of fund moneys to legal services organizations qualified for Federal Legal Services Corporation funding to provide legal representation to eligible low-income persons.

• Allocates funds according to the Federal Legal Services Corporation's funding formula, with priority for families, children, domestic violence cases, the elderly, and Social Security Act benefit qualification.

• Prohibits transfer of unused fund balances to the general revenue fund and bars use of state funds for legal services organizations to sue the state, its agencies, or officials.

• Extends the fund's sunset expiration date from December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2018, with annual reporting requirements to the general assembly by January 31st.