Council Focuses on Efficiency Measures at Next Meeting

for release

Contact: <a href="mailto:teresa.ruano@jud.ca.gov">Teresa Ruano</a>, 415-865-7740

June 19, 2015

Judicial Council Focuses on Efficiency Measures at Next Business Meeting

Agenda highlights include budget, court construction, water conservation, and progress on Judicial Council restructuring

SAN FRANCISCO—At its public meeting on June 25–26, the Judicial Council will review and consider a number of judicial branch efficiency measures, including:


Other items on the meeting agenda include:

Budget Update: The council will hear an update on the fiscal year 2015–2016 judicial branch budget from Administrative Director Martin Hoshino.

Restoration of Benefits Funding: The council will consider a recommendation to approve an allocation of $13.4 million included in the FY 2015–2016 state budget for trial courts that make progress towards meeting the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 standard. This $13.4 million would be a partial restoration of the $22 million funding reduction for trial court benefits costs called for in the 2014 Budget Act.

Recidivism Reduction Fund Court Grant Program: As part of the Budget Act of 2014, the Legislature directed the council to develop and administer a competitive grant program for trial courts that supports practices known to reduce adult offender recidivism. The council will consider recommendations to allocate the $658,000 that remains after an initial round of awards was approved by the council on February 19, and an additional $1.3 million allocation that is currently included in the proposed 2015–2016 state budget.

2015 Language Need and Interpreter Use Study: The council will consider a recommendation from its Court Interpreters Advisory Panel to approve the 2015 Language Need and Interpreter Use Study for submission to the Governor and Legislature. The study, conducted by the National Center for State Courts, details interpreter use in the trial courts in fiscal years 2009–2010 through 2012–2013 and projects future language need.

Implementation Steps Related to New Rule on Traffic Infraction Cases: The council’s Traffic Advisory Committee recommends amending notices to appear used in traffic citations as well as forms used for installment payment plans for traffic infractions. Recently adopted by the council, California Rules of Court, rule 4.105, requires that court notices and forms include information on procedures for appearing at court without deposit of bail in traffic infraction cases.

A live audiocast of the meeting will be on the California Courts website, and the agenda and council reports are posted online.

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