ASSEMBLY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1710

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MARCH 11, 1996

      The Assembly Judiciary Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1710.

      The bill would raise several civil court filing fees in order to provide an annual appropriation to Legal Services of New Jersey which presently provides legal services to the poor in civil matters under a contract with the Department of Community Affairs. Among the fees increased is the filing fee for instituting an action in the Law Division of Superior Court which would be raised from $135.00 to $160.00.

      It is anticipated that the fee increases proposed in this bill will raise approximately $8 million annually. These funds are needed to offset an anticipated loss in federal funds by Legal Services.