Bill > HB504

This bill appropriates funds for the operations, maintenance, support, and functioning of the Judicial Branch of the Commonwealth of Kentucky for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2028. * **Court Operations and Administration:** * General Fund: $344,440,300 for 2025-26, $348,471,700 for 2026-27, and $348,471,700 for 2027-28. This includes $5,000,000 annually for additional judgeships and funds for mandated services like IT and system upgrades. * Restricted Funds: $13,629,600 for 2025-26, $57,506,000 for 2026-27, and $57,853,700 for 2027-28. This includes $13,629,600 in 2025-26 to partially replace reduced revenues from the Master Commissioner's Fund. * Federal Funds: $1,546,600 for 2026-27 and $1,391,000 for 2027-28. * **Local Facilities Fund:** * General Fund: $136,303,000 for 2026-27 and $149,205,200 for 2027-28. This includes funds for use allowance costs for judicial centers, current services, Boyle County use allowance, and local court facility compensation. * Restricted Funds: $8,910,400 for 2025-26, $8,380,000 for 2026-27, and $380,000 for 2027-28. This includes funds for flood remediation in Franklin and Hardin Counties, and leased space and fit-up costs for Boyle and Bell Counties. * **Judicial Retirement System:** * Restricted Funds: $645,500 for 2026-27 and $652,300 for 2027-28 for administrative expenses. * **Capital Projects:** The bill authorizes capital projects, including a roof replacement for Boyle County ($2,000,000 in 2026-27) and renovation for Bell County ($20,910,000 in 2026-27). Lease authorizations are also included for Franklin, Jefferson, and Madison Counties. Deferred funding for operating costs and equipment for five projects authorized in 2024 is moved to the 2028-2030 biennium. * **General Provisions:** The bill includes provisions regarding expenditure authority, carry-forward of funds, salary increases of two percent for eligible employees in 2026-27 and 2027-28, and reporting requirements for expenditures and operational data. Unexpended General Fund moneys for project-related expenses or use allowance payments in 2026-27 and 2027-28 will be transferred to the Budget Reserve Trust Fund Account.