Minnesota judicial branch seeks funding to address staff pay, digital access and rising mandated costs

Jeff Schorba, Minnesota’s state court administrator, told the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee on the morning of the hearing that the judicial branch is seeking increased legislative funding to meet rising costs and maintain timely access to justice.

The branch’s biennial request for fiscal 2026–27 includes proposals for compensation increases, a digital accessibility remediation project to comply with new federal rules, a modernized justice‑partner access system, higher pay for contract forensic examiners, and an increase in juror per diem.

Schorba said the judiciary’s mission is “to provide justice through a system that assures equal access for the fair and timely resolution of cases and controversies,” and he cited the constitutional guarantee that “every person is entitled to access justice freely, promptly, and without delay.” He told the committee the branch is funded almost entirely by legislative appropriation and reminded members that court fines and fees are deposited into the state general fund rather than retained by the courts.

Key figures Schorba cited…