Budget: Fiscal Year 2015–2016 Budget Requests for Trial Courts

The Judicial Council of California discussed court-appointed dependency counsel and funding standards, which have resulted in improved case processing and reduced delays in foster care cases. The council also identified additional potential budget change proposals (BCPs) to address structural issues and shortfalls in various funds. These BCPs include changes to statutory language regarding the 2% Trial Court Trust Fund, a TCTF backfill, and a State Trial Court Improvement and Modernization Fund negative fund balance. The proposals will be reviewed by the Judicial Council's Executive and Planning Committee before submission to the Department of Finance. The funding requests are intended to address strategic plan goals and operational objectives related to access, fairness, diversity, independence, accountability, modernization, quality of justice, and branchwide infrastructure.