Judicial Council approves $3.2 billion in preliminary trial court allocations for FY 2026–27

The Judicial Council approved preliminary trial court allocations for fiscal year 2026–27 totaling $3.2 billion, including approximately $3.1 billion from the Trial Court Trust Fund and $117.8 million from the General Fund. Judge Jonathan Conklin, chair of the Trial Court Budget Advisory Committee, presented the recommendation and described methodology updates tied to the 2024 weighted caseload study that produce a statewide average funding level of about 73% of calculated workload need.

The presentation highlighted targeted additions: $70 million to address rising operational costs for trial courts and $20 million per year over the next two years to mitigate increasing court interpreter costs. "These allocations are the primary funding source for the trial courts and are essential to support the core operations and sustain critical programs and services for court users," the committee said during its presentation. The council moved, seconded, and approved the allocations without recorded opposition. The advisory committee will return final allocations in December after year-end adjustments.