Judicial Council approves midyear IT modernization allocations as demand outpaces funding

The Judicial Council approved midyear allocations from its IT modernization grant on Feb. 20 after a presentation by Technology Committee Chair Judge Maria Hernandez and Vice Chair David Slayton, who detailed the program’s purpose, selection process, and impacts across trial and appellate courts.

Judge Hernandez said the program is “critical” to sustaining court operations and emphasized the grant’s role in expanding access and supporting core functions. David Slayton provided concrete examples of projects funded through the program: since 2022 the Technology Committee has approved 73 digitization projects; 34 audio and video upgrades; 14 chatbot and virtual assistant projects; and 27 cybersecurity projects (about $5,900,000 funded in security projects last year). “If we don't have digitized documents, we can't do that,” Slayton said, describing digitization as foundational for e‑filing and future digital services.

Presenters told the council that requests dramatically outstrip available funds — the committee fields requests in the tens of millions: last year more than $50,000,000 in requests were made while $12,500,000 was distributed, and in the most recent cycle the committee received about $60,000,000 in requests against the same roughly $12,500,000 allocation. After discussion, members voted to approve the midyear reallocations, including targeted redistributions to Humboldt, Nevada, and Los Angeles courts.

Why it matters: IT modernization funding directly affects courts’ ability to provide remote proceedings, online public access, and protections against cyber threats. Council members noted that ongoing operating costs and cloud migrations create pressure for additional, sustained funding beyond one‑time modernization grants.

What’s next: Technology Committee members said they will pursue budget change proposals seeking more stable funding for ongoing technology needs.