Trial Court Facilities in California

Section 70301 notes that this chapter is cited as the “Trial Court Facilities Act of 2002.” The following terms are defined in this section: “bonded indebtedness,” “building,” “county facilities payment,” “court facilities,” “deferred maintenance,” “historical building,” “maintenance,” “responsibility for facilities,” “shared use,” “special improvement,” “special repair,” “unacceptable seismic safety rating,” “usable space,” and “user rights.”

Section 70303 created the Court Facilities Dispute Resolution Committee in order to hear and determine disputes between a county and the Judicial Council as specified by this chapter. The committee consists three specified members. The committee is required to hear and make recommendations to the Director of Finance for determinations in disputes involving five specified matters.

In addition, upon receipt of the recommendation from the committee, the Director of Finance is required to make the final determination of the issue in dispute. The Judicial Council, the California State Association of Counties, and the Department of Finance jointly provide for staff assistance to the committee.