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Title
Judicial Council | 2026 Legislative Priorities (Action Required)
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Summary
Summary
Each year, the Judicial Council adopts legislative priorities to further key
council objectives in the upcoming legislative year. The Legislation
Committee recommends that the Judicial Council consider an approach
similar to last year’s for the 2026 legislative year to include continued stable
and reliable funding to address increased costs; continued advancement of
remote access to the courts while balancing due process; funding for
judgeships statewide and judicial officers in counties with the greatest need;
availability of verbatim records of court proceedings; operational
efficiencies in the courts; and increased security resources to safeguard
personnel, the public, and court systems from physical and cyber threats.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
The Legislation Committee recommends that the Judicial Council, effective January 1, 2026, approve the following legislative priorities for 2026:
1. Continue to advocate for sufficient funding, including for:
a. Stable and reliable funding for courts to address annual cost increases in baseline operations and plan for the future; and
b. Sufficient resources to improve physical access to the courts by keeping courts open; expanding access by increasing the ability of court users to conduct branch business online; increasing security to safeguard personnel, the public, and court systems from physical and cyber threats; strengthening programs and services; and continuing to implement innovations in programs and services;
2. Continue to seek funding for judgeships overall and particularly for judicial officers in counties with the greatest need;
3. Continue to sponsor or support legislation to improve judicial branch operational efficiencies, including cost-saving and cost-recovery measures as well as the ability to conduct proceedings, in whole or in part, using remote technology in order to expand safe and reliable access to justice;
4. Continue to promote the availability of verbatim records of court proceedings by working collaboratively to address court reporter shortages and exploring innovations in technology;
5. Seek legislative authorization, if needed and authorized by the Judicial Council in 2026, for the disposition of unused courthouses in fair market value transactions, with the proceeds to be directed to the State Court Facilities Construction Fund (the successor fund of the Immediate and Critical Needs Account) established by Senate Bill 1407 (Perata; Stats. 2008, ch. 311) or any other Judicial Council facilities fund authorized by the Legislature; and
6. Delegate to the Legislation Committee the authority to take positions or provide comments on behalf of the Judicial Council on proposed legislation (state and federal), administrative rules or regulations, and proposals by other bodies or agencies after evaluating input from council advisory bodies, council staff, and the courts, provided that the input is consistent with the council’s established policies and precedents.
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Speakers
Speakers
Hon. Stacy E. Boulware Eurie, Chair, Legislation Committee
Mr. Cory T. Jasperson, Governmental Affairs