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 upgrades and contractor rate increases. * 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 judicial centers, current services, Boyle County use allowance, Bell County use allowance and equipment, 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 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 Budget:** This section authorizes capital projects and outlines procedures for their approval and oversight by the Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee. It also includes specific projects like roof replacement in Boyle County and renovation in Bell County. * **General Provisions:** These provisions detail expenditure authority, carry-forward of funds, salary increases of 2% in 2026-27 and 2027-28, and reporting requirements for expenditures and operational data to legislative committees. Unexpended General Fund moneys for project-related expenses or use allowance payments in fiscal years 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 will be transferred to the Budget Reserve Trust Fund Account.