Erlenborn Commission
Legal Services E-lert
Bibliographic Info:
Date: 12/15/2000
LSC has established a special commission, named the Erlenborn Commission, to study and report on the effects on low income persons, of certain restrictions, specifically the attorneys’ fees restriction, which prevents LSC-funded lawyers from accepting attorneys’ fees (45 CFR _ 1642), and LSC’s program integrity regulation, which requires recipients to maintain objective integrity and independence from organizations that engage in activities restricted by LSC (45 CFR _ 1610). The text of the resolution is as follows: Whereas LSC has a continuing commitment to develop and make available accurate and current information on the ability of state justice systems to meet the civil justice needs of low income persons; Whereas LSC has imposed a number of restrictions on its recipients’ activities in response to mandates imposed as riders to the FY 1996 LSC appropriation; Whereas LSC has not heretofore studied the effects of any of the 1996 restrictions on the ability of recipients to engage in appropriate client-centered representation or reported to Congress concerning those effects; and Whereas it is appropriate at this time to study the impact certain restrictions have on substantive legal rights, effective and efficient representation and the best uses of federal funds; Therefore, it is resolved that the Board of Directors hereby establishes a Special Commission to study and report to the Board on its findings regarding the effects of certain legal restrictions on LSC recipients’ ability to provide equal access to justice to low income persons; Be it further resolved that the Chair of the Board is hereby authorized to appoint the membership of the Special Commission; Be it further resolved that the Commission is authorized to hold public hearings and take testimony from interested parties to aid in its study of the issues herein identified; and Be it further resolved that the Commission shall compile a factual record and prepare findings, and transmit both to the Board, along with any recommendations it may have related to the issues identified herein.