Revised Fact-Finding and Research Report and Recommendations

TEXAS ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION STRATEGIC PLANNING REVISED FACT-FINDING AND RESEARCH REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS MARCH 19, 2024 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The goal of the Texas Access to Justice Commission’s strategic planning is to achieve the highest level of access to justice for low-income individuals and families in Texas. To help with the strategic planning process, the Commission engaged the help of two consultants, John Tull and Bruce Bower, who are the authors of this report. As a first step, the Commission undertook a fact-finding and research effort to identify elements of the access to justice system that it can improve on its own or with its partners. This report reflects input from 292 responses to a survey conducted of individuals active in and familiar with access to justice activities and needs in Texas. It also reflects insights gained from interviews by the consultants of 59 knowledgeable individuals regarding the Commission and access to justice issues in the state. A draft report, dated February 22, 2024, was discussed at length by the full Commission on that date. This revised report reflects that discussion, clarifying some of the analysis regarding which there were questions and adding insights and emphasis from the discussion. The Texas Supreme Court created the Commission in 2001 in an order that identified a need for “leadership that is accepted by the various stakeholder organizations … and empowered to take action to [realize] equal justice for all in Texas.” The order did not define how that leadership should be exercised. It stated the expectation that the Commission would “serve as the umbrella organization for all efforts to expand access to justice” in the state and “as a coordinator to assist … in developing strategic alliances to effectively move ideas into action.” The fact-finding and research stage of the Commission’s strategic planning effort was not designed as an evaluation. It did, however, provide some insight into how the role of the Commission as the umbrella organization and coordinator has unfolded and how the planning process may further define its most beneficial role. The Commission has a history of successful endeavors since its creation by the Texas Supreme Court in 2001. In those endeavors, the Commission’s role has most closely aligned with it being the “coordinator … [of] strategic alliances to move ideas into action.” The Access to Justice Commission works closely with the Texas Access to Justice Foundation, the State Bar of Texas, and the Texas Legal Services Center in considering access to justice issues. The Texas Bar Foundation also invests in access to justice initiatives and programs.