Court Funding Task ForceOctober 7, 2002

Court Funding Recommendations from the Past1972 Citizens Conference on Courtscourts should be part of one state system and the costs borne by the state

1985 Judicial Administration Comm.all salaries of superior and district court judges should be paid by state

Recommendations from the Past (contd)1985 Judicial Administration Comm.salaries of superior court commissioners and court administrators should be paid by the stateall pro tem costs should be paid by the statethe state should pay part of indigent criminal defense

Recommendations from the Past (contd)1985 Judicial Administration Comm.

Legislature should increase civil filing fees at all court levels

adopt a process for estimating fiscal impact on local courts/governments

Recommendations from the Past (contd)1988 Judicial Council Task Force on Courts of Limited JurisdictionIncrease PSEA assessment to 100% of all fines and penaltiesAdjust revenue distribution to 60% local, 40% stateState should pay salaries of district court judges

Recommendations from the Past (contd)1999 Commission on Justice, Efficiency, and Accountability

the Board for Judicial Administration should develop a funding strategy for the judicial branch and evaluate state funding for mandated judicial services

Recommendations from the Past(contd)1999 Court Improvement Act

initiated by BJAat local option - state to pay costs of trial judges salaries, expert witness fees, jury, interpreter and indigent defense costsstate to pay for costs of capital cases

Recommendations from the Past (contd)1999 Court Improvement Act

state to pay for civil legal servicesestablished court improvement account for counties that opted inincreased filing fees, PSEA assessment, and infraction penalties redistributed revenue between local and state govts.

Recommendation from the Past (contd)2001 Project 2001a long term solution for adequate funding of the judicial system as an independent branch of government is critical to the success of court reform efforts. Finding the proper balance of shared financial responsibility between local and state government is imperative

Other StatesCALIFORNIAImpetus: Unequal justiceCounty fiscal crisisAuthority:Constitutional amendmentLocal optionBudget:base plusmonthly drawmaximum state control

Other StatesOREGONImpetus: County fiscal crisisAuthority:StatutoryBudget:base -formula drivenplus new programslump sum maximum local control

Other States

FLORIDAImpetus:Routine Constitutional ReviewAuthority:Constitutional amendmentBudget:hold harmlessperformance and accountability standards

Other StatesPENNSYLVANIAImpetus:Lawsuit

Authority:Court order

Budget:Implementation in fluxphase 1- 175 employees

Other States RecommendationsContinue partial local responsibilityMaintain legislative involvementFacilities should remain local responsibilityDecide responsibility for collections activityDecide responsibility for personnel(union contracts, retirement systems)State-wide automation is critical

Other States Recommendations (contd)Clarify how court revenue will be distributedFunctional approach to state funding works bestLitigation is a treacherous solution to the court funding problem

Washington State 01-03 Budget(Dollars in Thousands)LegislativeJudicialGovt OperationsHuman ServicesNatural ResourcesTransportationPublic SchoolsHigher EducationOther EducationSpecial Appropriations$136,110$140,864$2,649,413$18,976,685$1,102,464$105,690$11,503,685$6,439,607$110,984$1,904,368

Chart1

136110

140864

2649413

18976685

1102464

105690

11503685

6439607

110984

1904368

Washington State 01-03 Budget

Sheet1

Washington State

Legislative136,110.0

Judicial140,864.0

Govt Operations2,649,413.0

Human Services18,976,685.0

Natural Resources1,102,464.0

Transportation105,690.0

Public Schools11,503,685.0

Higher Education6,439,607.0

Other Education110,984.0

Special Approps1,904,368.0

Statewide Total43,069,870.0

Judicial

Admin for the Courts85514

Court of Appeals25618

Office of Public Defense12944

Supreme Court10987

State Law Library3906

Judicial Conduct1895

Judicial140864

Sheet1

Washington State 01-03 Budget

Sheet2

Judicial Branch 01-03 Budget

Sheet3

Judicial Branch 01-03 Budget(Dollars in Thousands)AOC ($30 M = superior court judges salaries)Court of AppealsOffice of Public DefenseSupreme CourtState Law LibraryJudicial Conduct Comm.TOTAL (annual)

$85,514

$25,618$12,944$10,987$3,906$1,895

$70,432

Chart2

85514

25618

12944

10987

3906

1895

Judicial Branch 01-03 Budget

Sheet1

Washington State

Legislative136,110.0

Judicial140,864.0

Govt Operations2,649,413.0

Human Services18,976,685.0

Natural Resources1,102,464.0

Transportation105,690.0

Public Schools11,503,685.0

Higher Education6,439,607.0

Other Education110,984.0

Special Approps1,904,368.0

Statewide Total43,069,870.0

Judicial

Admin for the Courts85514

Court of Appeals25618

Office of Public Defense12944

Supreme Court10987

State Law Library3906

Judicial Conduct1895

Judicial140864

Sheet1

Washington State 01-03 Budget

Sheet2

Judicial Branch 01-03 Budget

Sheet3

Local Government Annual Expenditures

Superior Court$160.6 millionJuvenile Operations$105.6 millionDistrict Court$80.1 millionMunicipal Court$55.0 million

TOTAL$401.3 million

Chart2

70432

401300

State/Local Support of Courts

Sheet1

Washington State

Legislative136,110.0

Judicial140,864.0

Govt Operations2,649,413.0

Human Services18,976,685.0

Natural Resources1,102,464.0

Transportation105,690.0

Public Schools11,503,685.0

Higher Education6,439,607.0

Other Education110,984.0

Special Approps1,904,368.0

Statewide Total43,069,870.0

Judicial

Admin for the Courts85514

Court of Appeals25618

Office of Public Defense12944

Supreme Court10987

State Law Library3906

Judicial Conduct1895

Judicial140864

State70432

Local401300

Sheet1

Washington State 01-03 Budget

Sheet2

Judicial Branch 01-03 Budget

Sheet3

State/Local Support of Courts

Annual State RevenuePSEA

Superior Court$8.5 millionDistrict Court$33.3 millionMunicipal Court$24.0 million

TOTAL$65.8 million

Local Government Annual Revenue

Superior Court$20 millionDistrict Court (county)$39 millionDistrict Court (city)$10 millionMunicipal Court$41 million

TOTAL$111 million

Summary Annual State & Local Expenditures for Trial Courts$416 million($15 million state + $401 million local)Annual State & Local Revenues from Trial Courts$177 million($66 million state + $111 million local)