Judiciary presses for new judges and finishes court‑technology overhaul; ARPA funds largely obligated

The Idaho Judicial Branch told the Joint Finance Preparation Committee on Jan. 23 that it is seeking additional judicial resources for high‑workload districts and has an ongoing, multi‑year court‑technology modernization under way, largely funded by ARPA State Fiscal Recovery Funds and court technology fees.

The requests are aimed at reducing case backlogs, limiting travel by judges from other counties, and completing infrastructure and cybersecurity work that the Supreme Court said is necessary to protect court data and modernize access for counties and attorneys.

Keith Bybee, division manager for budget policy analysis, told the committee the governor’s budget includes a placeholder 5% judicial compensation (CEC) increase; the judiciary itself has requested $10.2 million for broader judicial compensation adjustments. Bybee also identified requests totaling about $1.2 million to add judges and court reporters: two district judges (one in the First Judicial District, Coeur d’Alene, and one in the Seventh Judicial District, Idaho Falls), two magistrate judges (one in the Fifth Judicial District, Twin Falls, and one in the Seventh), and two court reporters.

Administrative Director of Courts Sarah Omanson described a multi‑year,…