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Title
Judicial Council: 2018 Legislative Priorities (Action Required)
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Summary
Summary
Each year, the Judicial Council authorizes sponsorship of legislation to further key council objectives and establishes priorities for the upcoming legislative year. For the last several years, the council's legislative priorities have focused on implementation of efficiencies in the courts, investment in the judicial branch, and securing critically needed judgeships. The Policy Coordination and Liaison Committee recommends a similar approach for the 2018 legislative year to the Judicial Council.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
The Policy Coordination and Liaison Committee (PCLC) recommends that the Judicial Council take the following actions as Judicial Council legislative priorities in 2018:
1. Advocate for continued investment in the judicial branch to include a method for stable and reliable funding for courts to address annual cost increases in baseline operations and plan for the future; and for sufficient additional resources to (1) improve physical access to the courts by keeping courts open, (2) expand access by increasing the ability of court users to conduct branch business online, and (3) restore programs and services that were reduced over the past few years. This priority also includes seeking the extension of sunset dates on increased fees implemented in the fiscal year (FY) 2012-13 budget, as follows:
a. $40 increase to first paper filing fees for unlimited civil cases, where the amount in dispute is more than $25,000 (Gov. Code, ? 70602.6).
b. $40 increase to various probate and family law fees (Gov. Code, ? 70602.6).
c. $20 increase to various motion fees (Gov. Code, ?? 70617, 70657, 70677).
d. $450 increase to the complex case fee (Gov. Code, ? 70616).
e. $40 probate fee enacted in 2013, expiring on January 1, 2019 (Gov. Code, ? 70662).
2. Increase the number of judgeships and judicial officers in superior courts with the greatest need.
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