The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice voted unanimously to report SPB 7014, a committee bill that terminates the mediation and arbitration trust fund within the state court system.

Senator Garcia, sponsor, told the committee the bill “simply terminates the mediation and arbitration trust fund within the state court system.” She said the Legislature previously redirected the fund’s filing fees to the state court’s revenue trust fund and that “there is no current balance in the trust fund.”

The bill traces to HB 5405 (2011), which the sponsor said had already redirected fees and removed statutory references to the trust fund. Senator Garcia moved that SPB 7014 be submitted as a committee bill; the motion drew no objections and the committee clerk called the roll. The roll-call recorded affirmative votes from the members present and the committee report was adopted.

By the committee’s vote, SPB 7014 was favorably reported as a committee bill. The committee did not record further debate or amendments during the floor of the hearing.

The committee packet includes a single appearance form from Sean Bernfin of the Office of State Court Administrator, recorded as waiving in support.

The committee action now sends SPB 7014 forward as a committee-originated bill for further processing under the Senate’s rules.