Kansas chief justice outlines strategic plan and asks for $1.5 million for specialty courts
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Summary
Chief Justice Eric Rosen briefed the Committee on Judiciary on the judicial branch's updated strategic plan, expanded mental-health initiatives and a FY2027 budget request that includes a $1.5 million transfer for specialty courts and three regional coordinator positions.
TOPEKA — Speaking to the Committee on Judiciary, Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Rosen described a recently updated strategic plan for the judicial branch and outlined budget priorities for fiscal year 2027, including a request for a $1,500,000 transfer to support specialty courts and three regional coordinator positions.
"Kansas courts administer justice by applying the law to resolve disputes and protect rights," Rosen told the committee as he summarized the branch's new mission and vision. He credited the legislature's sustained investment for progress expanding access to justice and said the branch had worked with the National Center for State Courts to update its plan.
Rosen described four core priorities: enhancing access to justice; building public trust and understanding; improving court operations and efficiencies; and fostering a supported workforce. He highlighted the branch's mental-health work, reporting that a multi-branch mental-health summit convened in August 2025 at Fort Hays State University drew more than 500 participants and informed local "communities of practice." Rosen said the legislature previously funded a statewide behavioral-health coordinator position that is central to those efforts.
On specialty courts, Rosen said the legislature previously approved a $1,500,000 transfer from the state general fund as the first direct appropriation dedicated specifically to specialty court operations. For fiscal year 2027 the branch is again requesting a $1,500,000 transfer and three regional coordinator positions to assist planning, staffing and alignment across specialty courts. Rosen provided specific counts, saying specialty courts grew from 23 in 2023 to 44 by the end of 2025, and the branch projects about 50 by the end of next year; he identified adult drug treatment courts as the largest category.
Rosen also outlined plans for a Kansas Judicial Learning Center to be located on the first floor of the Kansas Judicial Center, describing work with architects to develop interactive exhibits and saying FY2027 funding would begin development of two cornerstone exhibits.
Rosen concluded by offering to take questions and said the branch looks forward to working with the legislature on its budget request. Committee members asked follow-up questions in a later Q&A about operations, staffing and related programs.
