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Judicial Council approves $12.5 million midyear IT modernization allocation amid $60 million in requests
Summary
The Judicial Council approved midyear redistribution of $12.5 million for IT modernization, citing digitization, expanded remote access and cybersecurity needs; presenters said courts requested roughly $60 million this cycle.
The Judicial Council on Feb. 20 approved a midyear allocation of IT modernization funds aimed at digitization, improved audio/video for remote access, virtual assistance tools and cybersecurity projects, the council heard.
Judge Maria Hernandez, chair of the council’s Technology Committee, outlined the grant process that solicits project proposals from appellate and trial courts. Vice Chair David Slayton described three priority areas: document digitization, expanded public access (audio/video upgrades and virtual public counters), and cybersecurity. Slayton said the committee approved 73 digitization projects since 2022–23, 34 audio/video upgrades and that cybersecurity rose to the committee’s top priority — 27 security projects received funding last year totaling about $5.9 million.
Hernandez and Slayton told the council available funding for the midyear allocation is $12.5 million, while applications recently closed at roughly $60 million in requests. Hernandez said the funding stream is the judicial branch’s only dedicated source for court technology and framed the shortfall as a deferred‑maintenance problem that merits sustained investment.
Council members discussed the long‑term implications of stagnant funding and the need to treat technology investment as ongoing infrastructure. Judge Mormon moved approval; Justice Bulweruri seconded, and the item passed on a voice vote.
What the allocation covers: presenters said the midyear distribution redistributes funds to courts in Humboldt, Nevada and Los Angeles counties and supports projects documented in the committee materials. The committee signaled it will advance budget change proposals seeking more durable funding for technology.
Why it matters: council members emphasized that modernization supports access to justice, enables remote participation for court users and is integral to resilience against cyber threats.
Next steps: technology committee staff will implement the allocation and present budget change proposals to secure longer‑term funding.
