The Judicial Branch Budget Process

The judicial branch operational budget is 1.6% of the overall budget for California state government. Just over one penny of every general fund dollar goes to the courts. For each fiscal year, which begins July 1, the judicial branch budget process begins approximately 20 months prior.

Judicial branch budget process

To promote the efficient, fiscally prudent, effective and fair allocation of branch resources, the Judicial Branch Budget Committee considers budget change concept recommendations from judicial branch advisory bodies and other entities for the next budget development process.  

Governor's Proposed Budget

The State Constitution requires the Governor to submit a balanced budget to the Legislature on January 10 of each year.Subsequent updates are made in April and in the May Revision to the Governor’s proposed budget. Click for detailed displays of the Governor's budget.

Legislature and Governor finalize the budget

The Constitution requires the Legislature to adopt a balanced budget by June 15. The Governor then has 12 working days to sign the budget bill. The Governor also has the authority to reduce or eliminate any item in the budget bill.

Judicial branch budget review process

To ensure timely distribution of funding to the trial courts, concurrent with Legislative consideration of the budget, the Trial Court Budget Advisory Committee and other advisory bodies review the trial courts' portion of the proposed budget and prepare recommendations to the Judicial Branch Budget Committee and the Judicial Council on allocations for the support of the 58 trial courts for the coming fiscal year.

An appellate advisory body follows a similar process in reviewing the funding priorities and budgets for the Courts of Appeal.

Judicial Council Review

Recommendations on allocations for the upcoming fiscal year and budget priorities that support responsible investment in the branch and allow for greater access to justice for future fiscal years are considered by the Judicial Council in public business meetings in July and Semptember.