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Ohio Judicial Conference outlines role, modest budget request and statewide judicial coordination
Summary
Judge David Hemenowski testified for the Ohio Judicial Conference, describing the organization's coordination of 722 judges, committee-driven work, educational programs and a modest budget that mixes general revenue and dedicated fund sources to minimize GRF requests.
The Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee heard from the Ohio Judicial Conference (OJC) about its budget and role in coordinating Ohio's judiciary.
David Hemenowski, judge of the probate and juvenile division of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas, appeared on behalf of the OJC. He said the OJC is a statutory, nonpartisan organization that represents all 722 judges in Ohio and that it coordinates communication between the judicial branch and the legislature and executive branches.
Hemenowski described the OJC's work: studying court coordination, encouraging uniform application of laws, running task forces and publishing guidance and resources for judges. He said the OJC operates with about eight employees supporting more than 200 judges who staff 21 committees and that it funds its work from the state's general revenue fund and a dedicated-purpose fund funded by dues, conference fees and royalties (including publication royalties from Ohio Jury Instructions).
Responding to a committee question about a 13.6% GRF increase in one line item, Paul Piper (executive director, OJC) explained the OJC expects some one-time expenditures, including a website facelift, and that nonstate fund balances had been flat while expenses are projected to exceed nonstate revenues by about $600,000 over the next period. Hemenowski and Piper said they generally try to limit ongoing increases to about 5% but anticipated one-time spending in the upcoming biennium.
On whether the OJC tracks sentencing disparities across counties, Hemenowski said the OJC itself does not compile that data but relies on the Ohio Supreme Court and the Ohio Sentencing Commission for studies; the OJC uses such data to inform judges and committees who then discuss procedural uniformity.
