The Legislature appropriated approximately $1.4 million in supplemental funds to the Supreme Court. This appropriation includes $400,000 to establish community court pilot projects in Hennepin and Ramsey counties, a $375,000 subsidy increase for civil legal services, $300,000 for a criminal justice system collaboration team, and $120,000 for two additional court administrative positions. In addition, the Supreme Court received funding for a parental cooperation task force and a misdemeanor crime data collection study. The Legislature appropriated $90,000 to the Court of Appeals to establish a sixth appeals panel, and $60,000 and $57,000, respectively, for a workers' compensation deficiency and salary increases for appellate law clerks. The District Courts received $360,000 for eight new law clerks and $700,000 for salary increases for existing law clerks. Finally, the Board of Judicial Standards received $30,000 for public hearing costs.

Public Defense

The Legislature appropriated $1 million to the Board of Public Defense. Of this amount, $30,000 is for increased retirement costs, and $970,000 is for salary increases for public defenders in the 2nd and 4th judicial districts (Ramsey and Hennepin counties).

Public Safety

The Legislature appropriated $10.4 million in supplemental funds to the Commissioner of Public Safety. An $8.8 million tornado disaster relief appropriation comprises most of this amount. In addition, $148,000 is for an Emergency Management Center and coordinator, and $229,000 is to fund the consolidation of crime victim service providers under Executive Order 180. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension received $233,000 for two additional forensic scientists, the creation of a conditional release database, and additional funds for the crime victim and witness protection fund. The Fire Marshal received $170,000 to create an arson investigative database. Finally, the Legislature funded four grant programs under the Department of Public Safety: $200,000 for weed and seed projects, $450,000 to local law enforcement agencies for automatic external defibrillators, and $50,000 each for a crosswalk safety grant and a truancy center in Anoka county.

Corrections

The Legislature transferred $1.2 million from the Department of Corrections institutions division to its community services division, and appropriated an additional $2.1 million in supplemental funds to the Commissioner of Corrections. Major initiatives include $1 million for probation caseload reduction, $765,000 for the electronic alcohol monitoring program, and $700,000 for a prison industry project constructing low-income housing with inmate labor. Other appropriations included the state assumption of adult misdemeanor and juvenile probation services in Winona and Benton counties, $222,000 to the city of St. Paul in Break the Cycle of Violence grants, $150,000 for the child guide program in Willmar, $123,000 for juvenile mentoring programs, $100,000 for restorative justice grants, and $63,000 for a substance abuse intervention program in Minneapolis.

Other Appropriations

The Legislature appropriated $200,000 to establish a law enforcement policy analysis capacity at Metro State University, $148,000 to the Peace Officers Standards and Training Board for legal costs incurred in FY 1998, $100,000 to the Department of Administration to conduct a pretrial release study, and $75,000 to the Legislative Auditor to conduct a comprehensive cost of crime study.

Revenues

The 1998 Legislature restructured the criminal fine system (effective January 1, 1999), resulting in an estimated annual fine revenue increase of $3 million. In addition, it raised DWI license plate reinstatement and surcharge fees by an estimated $1.3 million annually. Finally, the state will receive $525,000 from Benton and Winona counties for assuming their adult misdemeanor and juvenile probation services.

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