C.4. Judicial Budget Safeguard

The Judicial Branch shall have a separate budget, not included in the general federal budget.

The Chief Justice shall send the Judicial Branch’s yearly budget to the Speaker of the House. The Speaker will make the budget request public by the end of the legislative day, provided the Chief Justice submits it before 5 p.m.; otherwise, it must be made public by noon the following day.

The budget is approved unless both chambers vote to reject it by a two-thirds (⅔) majority of those present and voting.

If the budget is rejected, the Speaker and the Senate Leader must provide a written explanation within five (5) days, even if the budget deadline passes during that time. If the fiscal year has not concluded, the Chief Justice may then revise and resubmit the budget, starting the process over. This process repeats until the budget is approved or the fiscal year ends. If no budget is approved by September 30 of any year, the most recent approved budget stays in effect.