Judicial Council to Consider Funding Proposals for Trial Court Operations

SAN FRANCISCO—The Judicial Council at its July 17 meeting will consider recommendations on how to allocate funding to the trial courts included in the most recent state budget signed by Gov. Newsom.

The funding recommendations for fiscal year 2026–27 include how to allocate money for staffing, interpreters, court-appointed dependency counsel, continued implementation of the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act, and other costs associated with trial court operations.

The recommendations use an established formula based on court workload to allocate the funding.

Other Items on the Council Meeting Agenda:

Budget Change Proposals: The council will consider submitting 24 budget change proposals to the California Department of Finance for consideration in the fiscal year 2026-27 budget, which include increased funding for new judgeships, court-appointed counsel, technology, interpreters, cybersecurity, and new courthouse construction and maintenance.

Updated Plan for Court Construction: The council will consider the Judicial Branch Five-Year Infrastructure Plan and five capital-outlay budget change proposals for fiscal year 2027–28. The plan represents the funding needs for new courthouse construction, as well as renovations and additions to existing facilities.

Upgrading Court Technology: The council will consider a proposal to allocate $12.5 million in grant funding to help courts expand their use of technology, including projects related to cybersecurity, technology infrastructure, case management systems, and e-filing.

Legal Services for Low-Income Parties: The council will consider funding recommendations totaling $54 million over the next three years under the Sargent Shriver Civil Counsel Act to support projects providing legal representation and improved court services to low-income parties on critical legal issues affecting basic human needs. These projects address housing, domestic violence, civil harassment, probate conservatorships, guardianships, elder abuse, and child custody matters.

Grants to Improve Jury Service: The council will consider a proposal to allocate $600,000 in grant funding to improve jury service management, including money for jury management systems upgrades, self-check-in kiosks, A/V equipment, and other tools that would increase efficiency and improve the experience of potential jurors called to serve.

Grants to Expand Language Access: The council will consider a proposal to allocate $2.35 million in grant funding to expand language access for court users. Funding would be included for court projects related to interpreter equipment, translation of court website information, and multilingual kiosks and audio/visual systems.

The complete council meeting agenda and council reports are posted to the California Courts Meeting Information Center. A link to a live webcast of the meeting will be on the California Courts website on the day of the meeting.