Appropriations panel reviews judicial branch budget, hears requests for new positions and IT upgrades

The Appropriations - Education and Environment Division on Jan. 21 heard an overview of the judicial branch budget and discussed staffing, pay adjustments and a suite of one-time technology requests as committee members prepared to prioritize funding.

Committee staff walked members through long sheet “Judicial Branch Budget, number 180,” noting that “the only change between the 2 budgets was in the salary increase,” and presenting the Armstrong-centered figures the committee reviewed. The staff presentation showed a base-level general fund budget of about $128,256,098 and identified total proposed changes of roughly $36,300,000 above that base — approximately $27,139,000 in ongoing general fund increases and $9,161,000 in one-time spending, yielding a recommended general-fund total near $164,560,000 (other funds of about $1.4 million, roughly $850,000 of which is federal, were also listed).

Why it matters: the budget request would restore and add dozens of staff positions statewide, increase operating and interpreter funding, expand problem-solving courts and create a new Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship. Committee members said they wanted to separate legally required items and contract obligations from discretionary requests when setting priorities.

Key figures and requests presented - Net difference between the Burgum and Armstrong budgets attributed to a change in the salary plan: a reduction of approximately $961,997 (about $950,000 general…