0250 Judicial Branch
Major Program Changes
  • SB 1407 Implementation-The Budget includes $17.5 million to begin implementation of SB 1407 (Chapter 311, Statutes of 2008), which provided for the construction and financing of up to $5 billion in courthouse construction projects. Included in this augmentation is $15 million for facility modifications, and $2.5 million for staff to oversee the modifications and the larger construction projects.

  • Court Security Funding-The Budget includes an increase of $28.4 million to address a shortfall in trial court security costs. This augmentation would be supported by a $7 increase in the court security fee.

  • New Judgeships-The Budget proposes $71.4 million General Fund to fund 100 additional Trial Court judgeships. These additional judgeships will increase access to the courts, address backlogs, and provide equitable justice throughout the state. Legislation is required to create the new judgeships for 2009-10.

  • Courts Reductions-The Budget includes an unallocated reduction of $146 million to the State Judiciary and Trial Courts for 2009-10. This reduction equals the sum of various one-time reductions included in the 2008 Budget Act and the annual growth factor adjustment the courts would normally receive, which were included in the workload budget prior to the application of the reduction amount.

  • Delay Implementation of the Guardianship and Conservatorship Reform Act-The Budget includes a reduction of $17.4 million General Fund related to delaying the implementation of the Guardianship and Conservatorship Reform Act of 2006.