This bill appropriates funds from the general fund of the state for the fiscal year 2025-2026 to the judicial branch, covering various expenses such as salaries for judicial officers, interpreter and translator fees, and costs associated with juvenile court services. Specifically, it allocates $202,691,378 for salaries of various judicial positions, $3,600,000 for jury and witness fees, and $3,290,000 for court-ordered services for juveniles. The bill also allows for the distribution of funds for juvenile services based on annual census data and establishes that unencumbered funds for these services will remain available until the fiscal year ending June 30, 2028.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for civil trials to be held in contiguous counties if all parties agree, allows judicial officers to waive travel reimbursements, and permits unpaid leave for judicial officers during employee furloughs. It sets specific salary rates for justices, judges, and magistrates, effective June 20, 2025, and mandates that reimbursements for interpreter and translator fees be deposited into a revolving fund. The bill also clarifies that the department of revenue's collection fees will not include interpreter or translator fees, ensuring that these costs are not passed on to the county attorney for collection.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 602.1302, 8.33, 602.8107