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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T





SPONSOR: Smith DATE TYPED: 02/22/99 HB
SHORT TITLE: Probate Judge Mediation Program SB 462
ANALYST: Woodlee


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
 Recurring

or Non-Rec

 Fund

Affected

FY99 FY2000 FY99 FY2000
NFI NFI NFI NFI NFI NFI



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Relates to House Bill 443



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



Administrative Office of the Courts



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



Senate Bill 462 authorizes the Administrative Office of the Courts to approve a probate judge to conduct mediation programs in a magistrate court, provided the probate judge is qualified by training or experience.



Significant Issues



According to the AOC, there are currently only two magistrate courts, Santa Fe and Clovis, who have pilot volunteer mediation programs in operation. A related bill, House Bill 443, would authorize magistrate courts to create and conduct a volunteer mediation program. In addition, the AOC indicates some concern about probate judges being able/willing to work as volunteer mediators.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



There is no appropriation contained withing this bill. There is cost involved in training volunteers, which would be paid out of a $5.00 civil case filing fee.





CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP



Senate Bill 462 relates to House Bill 443, "Magistrate Court Mediation Program." HB443 would authorized magistrate courts to create and conduct a volunteer mediation program and would add a $5.00 fee to civil filings only, used for training of volunteer mediators.



MW/gm