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Judiciary warns House cuts could close courthouses and delay cases; asks for security and YDC case funding
Summary
Judicial Branch leaders told the Senate Finance Committee the House phase of HB 2 reduces their operating budget and risks courthouse closures, layoffs and multi‑year delays for many circuit‑court matters; the branch asked for funds for security, sheriff reimbursements, and to handle a large backlog of YDC‑related cases.
Chief Justice Mark Howard and administrative leaders of the Judicial Branch told the Senate Finance Committee that the branch’s efficiency budget and the House phase of HB 2 together create resource shortfalls that would slow court operations, reduce security coverage and potentially force courthouse closures.
The Judicial Branch submitted an efficiency budget that the presentation described as roughly $118 million for FY26 (the branch called it 3.8% over FY25 adjusted authorized). The House reduced the branch’s request; presenters said the House figure is about $114 million for FY26, producing a biennial back‑of‑the‑budget reduction that will require program and…
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