Issue: Commerce Justice Science Appropriations
Impact:
Court access to federal grant funds is included in these bills, as well as agencies that are important to state court operations.
Position:
State courts advocate full funding for those programs created to assist state courts to respond to federal initiatives and implement federal mandates on state courts. Court leaders have also supported adding language that would permit their participation in the planning and funding of other federal programs that affect their workloads.
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Issue: Justice Assistance Grant Program
The newly created JAG program replaced the Byrne Formula Grant and Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) as the primary block grant funding stream for state and local criminal justice agencies, including the courts.
State and local court officials have been increasingly successful at accessing the Byrne Formula Grant and the LLEBG funds. At a minimum, state and local court officials want to reserve the proportion of funding they received under the old programs and, if possible expand their participation under the new program.
Issue: Labor HHS Education Appropriations
Some of the grant programs included in the Health and Human Services (HHS) appropriations can be used to support state courts efforts.
State courts advocate full funding for those programs that will assist in dealing with the effects of federal initiatives on state courts.
Issue: Legal Services Corporation Appropriations
LSC is a major source of funding for impoverished litigants in many state courts. Cuts would increase the number of pro se litigants or limit access to the courts.
Congress should provide adequate funding for LSC.
Issue: Mental Health Courts Appropriations
This program provides federal funding for courts.
State courts advocate for resources necessary to advance and apply the problem-solving courts principles and methods in the general state court systems.
Issue: State Justice Institute Appropriations
The State Justice Institute (SJI) is the only source of federal funding for state courts that addresses all case types and issues.
No formal position