Judiciary asks for staffing, security and tech funding as lawmakers weigh cuts
February 27, 2026 | Public Safety, Transportation, and Environment Subcommittee, Budget and Taxation Committee, SENATE, SENATE, Committees, Legislative, Maryland
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The Public Safety, Transportation and Environment Subcommittee reviewed the judiciary's fiscal 2027 budget on Feb. 27 after the Department of Legislative Services analyst summarized the agency's operating request.
Scott Benson, the analyst presenting the operating review, told the panel the judiciary's allowance would rise by $67.1 million, to $865.3 million, with a roughly $63.4 million increase in general funds. Benson highlighted performance trends, a statewide increase in case filings, and several targeted cost and staffing changes requested for 2027.
Chief Justice Federer and other judiciary leaders described new elements of the request and defended program priorities. Chief Justice Federer outlined a $5.6 million grant proposal to help local jurisdictions meet recommended minimum courtroom security staffing levels, saying the grants are meant to "put those jurisdictions in a position to meet those requirements" without state-providing local sheriff positions directly.
Chief Judge John Morsey told the committee the judiciary accepts several recommended reductions but pushed back strongly on proposed cuts that would affect bailiff pay and the conversion of long-serving contract bailiffs to regular positions. "They're not temporary positions," Morsey said, arguing the conversion of 38 senior bailiff positions to regular status is necessary to recruit and retain qualified security staff and to respond to growing safety incidents in courthouses.
Officials emphasized court staffing needs and cited a range of operating pressures: the judiciary reported 246.3 vacancies at the end of 2025, including judges, clerks and courtroom staff. The budget also includes a modest 1% merit pool and large personnel-related increases driven largely by health insurance costs.
On technology, the state court administrator warned that proposed cuts to the judiciary's major IT development projects would delay critical initiatives such as a statewide guardianship system, digital evidence storage and archiving, and a statewide digital recording program. The administrator said conservative, multi-year budgeting is typical for large, multi-stage IT projects and that actual expenditures often lag working appropriations.
Committee members asked for follow-up details on projects and staffing. Judiciary officials agreed to provide additional information on long-term vacancies, land-record filing volumes, and the management of the private home detention monitoring program, for which late invoices and operational responsibility remain challenges.
The committee did not take any immediate vote; members requested additional data and written reports to support oversight and potential adjustments as budget deliberations continue.
Scott Benson, the analyst presenting the operating review, told the panel the judiciary's allowance would rise by $67.1 million, to $865.3 million, with a roughly $63.4 million increase in general funds. Benson highlighted performance trends, a statewide increase in case filings, and several targeted cost and staffing changes requested for 2027.
Chief Justice Federer and other judiciary leaders described new elements of the request and defended program priorities. Chief Justice Federer outlined a $5.6 million grant proposal to help local jurisdictions meet recommended minimum courtroom security staffing levels, saying the grants are meant to "put those jurisdictions in a position to meet those requirements" without state-providing local sheriff positions directly.
Chief Judge John Morsey told the committee the judiciary accepts several recommended reductions but pushed back strongly on proposed cuts that would affect bailiff pay and the conversion of long-serving contract bailiffs to regular positions. "They're not temporary positions," Morsey said, arguing the conversion of 38 senior bailiff positions to regular status is necessary to recruit and retain qualified security staff and to respond to growing safety incidents in courthouses.
Officials emphasized court staffing needs and cited a range of operating pressures: the judiciary reported 246.3 vacancies at the end of 2025, including judges, clerks and courtroom staff. The budget also includes a modest 1% merit pool and large personnel-related increases driven largely by health insurance costs.
On technology, the state court administrator warned that proposed cuts to the judiciary's major IT development projects would delay critical initiatives such as a statewide guardianship system, digital evidence storage and archiving, and a statewide digital recording program. The administrator said conservative, multi-year budgeting is typical for large, multi-stage IT projects and that actual expenditures often lag working appropriations.
Committee members asked for follow-up details on projects and staffing. Judiciary officials agreed to provide additional information on long-term vacancies, land-record filing volumes, and the management of the private home detention monitoring program, for which late invoices and operational responsibility remain challenges.
The committee did not take any immediate vote; members requested additional data and written reports to support oversight and potential adjustments as budget deliberations continue.
Don't Miss a Word: See the Full Meeting!
Go beyond summaries. Unlock every video, transcript, and key insight with a Founder Membership.
✓
Get instant access to full meeting videos
✓
Search and clip any phrase from complete transcripts
✓
Receive AI-powered summaries & custom alerts
✓
Enjoy lifetime, unrestricted access to government data
30-day money-back guarantee
