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Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=16586
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House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: January 13, 2015 09:15 AM
From: Representative Mike Vereb
To: All House members
Subject: Amending the Judicial Code in order to re-direct the flow of revenue currently directed toward the Judicial Computer System Augmentation Account to PA State Police for operation of cadet classes
 
In the near future, I plan to re-introduce former HB2025 ~ legislation that will both increase transparency to the financial affairs of our state judiciary while ensuring that the Pennsylvania State Police’s cadet classes are properly funded.

My legislation amends the Judicial Code in order to re-direct the flow of revenue currently directed toward the Judicial Computer System Augmentation Account. This account was set up by the General Assembly to run the computer systems of the judiciary, but it has since been used for the general operation of the judiciary as well. The funding through this revenue is not subject to the annual legislative appropriations process, and so therefore is not subject to legislative oversight.

Act 122 added a $10.00 fee to moving violations within the Commonwealth to be deposited into the Judicial Computer System Augmentation Account beginning in the fiscal year 2005-2006 and ending October 31, 2017. In the year ended June 30, 2013, $55,080,795 was deposited into the JCS account and $11,469,797 to the Access to Justice Account. $25,692,689 alone was used for staff personnel salaries and benefits to run this computer system.

Rather than continue this automatic flow of revenue each year to the Judicial Computer System Augmentation Account, my bill redirects $8.00 to Pennsylvania State Police for the operation of cadet classes. The remaining $2.00 will still go to the Access to Justice Account. The bill leaves intact the provisions of current law regarding the Access to Justice Account, which is used to fund civil legal services for the poor, as well as the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, which is used to help fund district attorneys.

It is my belief that this money is better spent on the provision of state troopers and that the judiciary should account for its full financial needs before the legislature annually.

Thank you in advance for your consideration.




Introduced as HB354