366008C510747175872584EE00676047 Hearing Summary

Chief Justice Nathan Coats and Steven Vasconcellos, State Court Administrator, provided an overview of the Judicial Branch (Attachment A).

Mr. Vasconcellos reviewed the performance plan and discussed accessbility measures, fairness, and timeliness standards.  He answered questions about access to justice, including interpretors. 

Chief Justice Coats introduced the Judicial Branch budget request regarding magistrates, probation officers, and contract management.   He first discussed the reasons behind requesting funds to hire additional magistrates.  Committee members expressed concerns about relying too heavily on magistrates to fulfill county court functions because they are not constitutional officers. 

Mr. Vasconcellos discussed the rising caseloads of probation officers and the increase in high-risk probationers.  He also covered contract management to centralize contracting, ensure stability and continuity of services, improve consistency, and ensure better compliance.  He stated that most contracts related to probation services.   He answered questions about the state procurement code.

Chief Justice Coats introduced the Judicial Branch budget request.  He first discussed the reasons behind requesting funds to hire additional magistrates.  Committee discussion followed about the potential over-use of magistrates. 

Mr. Vasconcellos further discussed the budgetary item regarding additional probation officers.  He cited rising caseloads and the increase in high-risk probationers as reasons for it.  He explained the request for contract management services  to centralize contracting, ensure stability and continuity of services, improve consistency, and improve compliance.  He stated that most contracts are related to probation services.   He answered questions about the state procurement code.