This year's proposal: increasing the fees for divorces not involving domestic violence.

Rep. Peggy Wallace described the legislation, which is a work in progress, during a briefing held Thursday by the Sutherland Institute, a conservative think tank with an undeniable influence on Capitol Hill.

Last year, Wallace and Sutherland lobbyists teamed up in an attempt to eliminate no-fault divorces for couples who have been married for more than 10 years or those with minor children.

She ultimately decided to withdraw the controversial proposal for more study. Wallace plans to once again try to limit the reasons for a divorce, but not this year.

She is now focused on the amount of money the state pays to handle break ups.

"I don't think the state should subsidize divorce. Period," Wallace said.

State courts have told her that Utah spends $2.7 million on divorce cases, but only collects $690,000 in fees. Divorcing couples pay about $90 in court fees.

Wallace is waiting for more specific numbers from the state courts before drafting the bill and deciding how much more to charge the divorcing couple.

The Sutherland Institute is also pushing legislation that would require a "pre-divorce orientation" for splitting couples. The session would include discussions of mediation, court trials and the "ramifications" of divorce. That bill is being sponsored by Orem Republican Rep. Lorie Fowlke, who is a family law attorney.

Sutherland President Paul Mero said the institute would also back two home-schooling bills and the latest attempt at school vouchers.

But the institute's agenda does not only appeal to conservative lawmakers.

Two liberal representatives are sponsoring anti-poverty bills backed by the institute.

Those proposals include a tax credit of $500 for families that care for an elderly relative in their homes and a refundable earned income tax credit for low-income families.

mcanham@sltrib.com