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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 rel...
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