Issue: Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS) Appropriations
Impact:
Federal grant funds for the Department of Justice agencies that are important to state court operations are included in these bills.
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.
Issue: Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program
Impact:
The 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.
Position:
State court leaders advocate for state court access to federal funding streams and increased collaboration between state courts and the administering executive branch agencies. (CCJ/COSCA Resolution 08-A-8)
Issue: Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations
Impact:
Some of the grant programs included in the Health and Human Services (HHS) appropriations can be used to support state courts efforts.
Position:
State courts advocate full funding for those programs that will assist courts in dealing with the effects of federal initiatives on state courts.
Issue: Drug Courts, Substance Abuse, and Mental Health
Impact:
Some of the grant programs can be used to support state courts efforts.
Position:
State courts support full funding for these programs, encourage federal entities to funnel federal funds through the highest judicial authority of the states and territories, and support the Administration’s proposal to establish a problem-solving courts grant program. (CCJ/COSCA Resolution 09-A-3, CCJ/COSCA Resolution 11-A-12, COSCA Resolution 12-M-5, and CCJ Resolution 13-M-7)
Issue: State Court Access to Federal Funding Streams
Impact:
State courts have had difficulty in accessing federal funding streams.
Position:
State courts support increased access to federal funding streams for those programs created 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 federal programs that affect their operations and workloads. (CCJ/COSCA Resolution 05-A-17)
Issue: State Justice Institute (SJI)
Impact:
The State Justice Institute is the only source of federal funding for state courts that addresses all case types and issues.
Position:
State court leaders support maintaining the FY 2010 funding for SJI. (CCJ Board of Directors Resolution, 2/18/11 and COSCA Resolution 11-A-1)