Court system seeks fifth Palmer superior court judge as caseloads outpace statewide average The Alaska Court System told the House Finance Committee HB262 would add one superior court judge seated in Palmer to address caseloads that average about 683 filings per judge in Palmer versus a statewide average near 458. The committee discussed fiscal notes from the trial courts ($775,500 FY27), the public defender agency ($268,000 FY27), the Department of Law ($305,500 FY27) and a forthcoming Office of Public Advocacy note.

The Alaska Court System is pushing for a fifth superior court judge in Palmer, driven by staggering caseloads that far exceed the statewide average—will lawmakers take action?

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Alaska courts tell Senate subcommittee they need new operating funds after partial FY26 funding Alaska Court System officials told the Senate Finance Budget Subcommittee the branch received only part of its FY26 operating requests and has proposed modest FY27 increments — chiefly facilities maintenance and balance funding for competency-calendar positions — while preserving statutorily required court-visitor services.

Alaska courts are facing funding shortfalls that could disrupt vital services, with a plea to the Legislature for targeted support in FY27.

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Subcommittee advances FY27 judiciary budget, restores funding for court visitors The House Finance Judiciary Subcommittee voted to adopt its budget action report and moved the FY2027 judiciary operating budget out of committee, restoring three court-system requests and approving a $363,500 UGF increment for court visitors after debate over funding sources.

The Alaska House Finance Judiciary Subcommittee just approved a significant boost to the FY2027 judiciary budget, ensuring crucial funding for court visitors and restoring vital court-system requests!

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Alaska court system outlines budget shortfalls, asks for operations, security and capital funding Court system officials told the House Finance Committee Feb. 16 they need new maintenance and operations funds, $365,000 for court visitors, capital funds for deferred maintenance and security upgrades, and a behavioral-health coordinator; officials warned a funding shortfall will lengthen statutorily required three‑year reviews.

The Alaska court system is facing significant budget shortfalls, risking essential services and increasing delays in legal reviews—can lawmakers step up to support justice?

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Alaska courts ask Legislature for modest FY27 increases, cite facility and program shortfalls The Alaska Court System told a House Judiciary subcommittee it needs targeted FY2027 funding — about $700,000 in UGF increments and non‑UGF positions tied to the Mental Health Trust — to cover facility costs, court‑visitor contracts and therapeutic‑court staffing; lawmakers pressed for details on lease inflation and a bill to add a Palmer judge.

The Alaska Court System is seeking a $700,000 funding boost for FY27 to address critical facility costs and staffing needs, but lawmakers are pushing for more transparency and bigger investments in the justice system.

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