The State Bar seeks comment on recommended changes to Rules of the State Bar governing funds administered by the Legal Services Trust Fund Commission (LSTFC) awarded to qualified support centers providing legal training, legal technical assistance, or advocacy support for civil legal services without charge. 

Deadline: April 28, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (45 days)

Direct comments to

Comments should be submitted using the online Public Comment Form. The online form allows you to input your comments directly and can also be used to upload your comment letter and/or other attachments.

Background

The Legal Services Trust Fund Commission (LSTFC) is charged with administration and oversight of grant funds that pass through the State Bar to support civil legal aid in California. As part of these obligations, the LSTFC determines eligibility for grant funding and monitors grant compliance among grant recipient organizations. Recently, the LSTFC Rules Committee discussed the work of qualified support centers (grantees with a primary purpose and function of providing legal training, legal technical assistance, or advocacy support for civil legal services without charge). Each proposal included here has gone through the Rules Committee. Stakeholders—in particular, members of the legal aid community—were invited to comment directly in writing or at the LSTFC’s public meetings before these rules were recommended for release for public comment. 

Discussion/proposal

The proposed amended and new rules address the following:

• The requirement for support centers to have an office in California (rule 3.670);
• Support center primary purpose and function (rule 3.671);
• The requirement to provide a significant level of services to qualified legal services projects (QLSPs) on a statewide basis (new rule 3.675); and
• The frequency and manner in which support centers should engage QLSPs in priority setting (rule 3.680).

Through the codification process, the LSTFC seeks to improve clarity, fairness, and efficiency in grantmaking as well as oversight of public funds. The LSTFC is charged with recommending rules regarding grant eligibility and administration. (Bus. and Prof. Code § 6210.5(e).) Under that same statute, the Board of Trustees (BOT) shall approve such recommended rule changes unless they conflict with the State Bar’s statutory, fiduciary, or legal obligations. After considering any comments received, the LSTFC will present its final proposal to the BOT for approval and adoption. 

Any fiscal/personnel impact

None.

Background materials

• Staff report and attachment from the March 5, 2026, Legal Services Trust Fund Commission meeting: Agenda Item 5.1 Proposed New Rule and Amendments to the State Bar Rules Regarding Qualified Support Centers (Amended State Bar Rules 3.670, 3.671, 3.680, and New Rule 3.675): Request to Circulate for Public Comment 

Source

Legal Services Trust Fund Commission 

Deadline

April 28, 2026, 11:59 p.m.

Direct comments to

Comments should be submitted using the online Public Comment Form. The online form allows you to input your comments directly and can also be used to upload your comment letter and/or other attachments.