Judiciary Committee Passes Resolution To Study Court Security Staffing and Private Contracting

The Senate Committee on Judiciary voted to adopt House Concurrent Resolution 193 (HD1), directing establishment of a court security and department of law‑enforcement capacity working group to examine staffing shortages, expanding statutory responsibilities, and fiscal and accountability risks tied to private security contracting in state courts.

Brandon Kimura, Administrative Director of the Courts, told the committee the judiciary supports the resolution’s intent but asked that it not be treated as a substitute for a pending budget request for supplemental security services. "We have been and continue to work with daily leadership in this area, and this resolution can formalize that," Kimura said, adding that immediate security needs remain a separate, urgent budget matter.

Chair Rhodes said he would include language in the committee report reflecting Kimura’s concern that the working-group study not interfere with the judiciary’s budget request for immediate enhancements. The committee voiced 'aye' and the measure was adopted (recorded voice votes for chair, vice chair and several senators). The committee closed and adjourned after adopting the measure.