Increased legal aid advanced

A bill that would increase a fee to provide additional legal aid to indigent Nebraskans was advanced from the first round of debate March 29.

LB1098, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Adam Morfeld, would increase civil court filing fees from $5.25 to $6.25. Revenue from the fee increase would be remitted to the Legal Aid and Services Fund, which provides legal services funding to the state’s indigent population.

Morfeld said increased use of alternative dispute resolution has led to a decrease in court filings and revenue generated for free legal aid.

“For every $1 in investment in free legal services, a community receives $4 to $10 in consequential benefits,” he said. “This would guarantee a significant increase in the availability of free legal services for low-income individuals across the state.”

Sen. Matt Williams of Gothenberg supported the bill, saying it is a reasonable increase.

“When we look at where that increase is going go to and how it helps these vulnerable people, it’s [clear] that it’s something we can and should do,” he said.

Omaha Sen. Bob Krist introduced an amendment that would decrease the proposed fee to $6. Krist said a comprehensive study of the state’s entire fee structure was needed before passing new increases.

“We can’t keep raising fees arbitrarily to fund even the best of causes,” Krist said. “We have to make sure that when we put a fee in place that it goes into the right place and that it’s used for a good purpose.”

Krist withdrew his amendment, saying he instead would introduce a study of the state’s fee structure during the interim.

Senators advanced the bill to select file on a 25-1 vote.