Alaska court system outlines budget shortfalls, asks for operations, security and capital funding

Noah Klein, associate counsel for the Alaska Court System, told the Alaska House Finance Committee on Feb. 16 that the judiciary’s FY27 requests include maintenance and operations, balance funding for competency-calendar positions and a behavioral-health administrator, but that none of the court’s general-fund increments were included in the governor’s proposed FY27 budget.

Klein said the court system is largely a personnel-driven budget — roughly 77% of costs are personal services — with contractual costs and facility leases the next-largest drivers. “None of our filing fees go directly to the court system. They all go to the general fund,” Klein said, underscoring the court’s limited ability to self-fund program needs through fee changes.

The presentation detailed specific shortfalls: the court did not receive about $113,000 in one maintenance-and-operations (M&O) increment, and a roughly $170,800 amount that the legislature sought was later vetoed, leaving gaps in operating funding. Klein also described a separate $365,000 request for the court visitor program — investigators who conduct statutorily required reviews of protected-person (guardianship/conservatorship) cases — that was not funded. Klein warned that without that funding the court will “smooth out” three‑year reviews and extend timing to manage an existing backlog while continuing to meet statutory obligations.

Klein outlined capital priorities for FY27, including deferred maintenance at the Snowden Administrative Building (facade, windows and water intrusion repairs), repair and safety work at the Boney Parking Garage in Anchorage, elevator upgrades to avoid obsolete parts and accessibility problems, and courthouse security upgrades. He said the court is asking for $750,000 for remaining access-control upgrades (after a prior $1 million appropriation) and $750,000 for camera upgrades to modernize security; some hardening and ballistic shielding were mentioned in closed-held planning as possible site-specific measures.

Klein also noted a request tied to Sitka: intent language previously encouraged negotiation for purchase of the Stratton Library to serve as a Sitka courthouse. The court submitted a supplemental appropriation request to purchase the property; Klein said the request is not included in the governor’s current supplemental budget. Klein said the court has a bill seeking an additional judge for Palmer and that courthouse renovations are underway to accommodate a new courtroom.

Committee members asked detailed operational questions, including whether court employees pay for parking at the Boney Garage (Klein said court employees do not pay) and whether veterans courts require residency within the operating jurisdiction (Klein said participation requires engagement in treatment and local supports and he would follow up with a definitive answer).

Klein framed the court’s position on budgeting as rooted in separation of powers: the Supreme Court sets the court system’s budget request and has historically expected that request to be included in the governor’s proposed budget so the legislature and executive can then act. He described the court’s FY27 UGF request as “very conservative” and said the court would try to find savings if funding gaps remain, typically by holding positions vacant.

The committee did not take action on the court’s requests during the presentation. The court asked the committee to consider its supplemental and FY27 requests as the budget process continues.