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Budget panel hears concerns about pretrial cuts, interpreter coordinator change and court facilities backlog
Summary
The Subcommittee reviewed May Revision judicial‑branch proposals that would revert one‑time funds and cut ongoing pretrial funding; LAO and Judicial Council witnesses warned such reductions could reduce services in some counties.
The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 5 reviewed multiple judicial‑branch items in the governor’s May Revision, including proposed reversions and reductions to trial court funding, a technical change to the court interpreter coordinator requirement, and continued concern about deferred maintenance and courthouse construction lists.
The Department of Finance presented the May Revision adjustments, including a one‑time transfer of $38 million from the trial court trust fund to the general fund, a proposed $20 million ongoing reduction to the Pretrial Release Program, and reappropriations and technical budget language related to court facilities and other programs.
Why it matters: Pretrial services were funded in recent years to expand community‑based alternatives to detention. Judicial Council staff and the LAO warned the committee that reducing ongoing pretrial funding from $70 million to $50 million could reduce service capacity in some jurisdictions. Separately, the Judicial Council and interpreter…
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