SAN FRANCISCO—The Judicial Council at its July 18 business meeting will consider allocating funding to the courts provided in the fiscal year 2025–26 state budget, which includes money for court interpreters, continued implementation of the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act, and other costs associated with trial court operations.
The council will also consider updating its policy by which funding is allocated to the trial courts so it better accounts for potential changes to the judicial branch budget such as future budget reductions and restorations.
In addition, the council will consider submitting 15 budget change proposals to the California Department of Finance for consideration in the fiscal year 2026–27 budget, which include increased funding for costs associated with the Racial Justice Act, judicial security, language access, and new courthouse construction and maintenance.
Funding to Continue Upgrading Court Technology
At its July business meeting, the council will also consider a proposal to allocate grant funding to specifically help courts expand their use of technology. Funding priorities would include projects related to cyber/information security, remote proceedings, data analytics, AI, and modernizing court technology infrastructure.
During the business meeting, the council will also hear about success stories from courts that have received previous grant funding for technology projects.
Other Items on Council Meeting Agenda:
Updated Plan for Court Construction: The council will consider the Judicial Branch Five-Year Infrastructure Plan and nine capital-outlay budget change proposals for fiscal year 2026–27. The plan represents the funding needs for new courthouse construction, as well as renovations and additions to existing facilities.
New Guidance for Courts That Use Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools: The council will consider proposals that address local court policies on the use of generative artificial intelligence for court-related work by judicial officers or court staff.
Grants to Improve Jury Service: The council will consider a proposal to allocate grant funding to improve the management of jury service. Funding priorities include self-check-in kiosks, electronic charging stations, and interactive voice and web services.
Grants to Expand Language Access: The council will consider a proposal to allocate grant funding to expand language access for court users. Funding categories include multilingual wayfinding strategies, interpreter equipment, multilingual kiosks, and audiovisual systems upgrades.
Court Interpreter Use Study: The council will consider the latest Language Need and Interpreter Use Study, which details interpreter usage in trials courts for fiscal years 2020–21 through 2023–24 and predicts future language need.
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.
