The Judiciary

Fiscal Year 2019

Congressional Budget Summary

PREPARED BY

THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE U.S. COURTS

WASHINGTON, DC

February 2018
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Overview

The Judiciary’s fiscal year 2019 discretionary budget request of $7.22 billion is a 3.2 percent 

increase over the Judiciary’s fiscal year 2018 assumed appropriation of $7.0 billion. In the 

absence of enacted full year fiscal year 2018 appropriations, the Judiciary made funding 

assumptions in order to construct a fiscal year 2019 budget request. The fiscal year 2018 

funding level assumes that Congress will provide a full-year discretionary appropriation for the 

Salaries and Expenses account that is 0.5 percent above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level, a midpoint between a hard freeze at the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and the fiscal year 2018 House 

mark for the Defender Services and Court Security accounts, and a current services level for the 

Fees of Jurors account.

The Judiciary, like most of the federal government, is currently operating under a continuing 

resolution. After final fiscal year 2018 appropriations are enacted, the Judiciary will update its 

fiscal year 2019 request and apprise the Appropriations Committees of changes to the request 

level. 

The Judicial Conference is grateful for the support that Congress has shown the Judiciary by 

providing favorable funding levels since sequestration. The Conference is hopeful that Congress 

will continue to provide sufficient resources in fiscal years 2018 and 2019. Our constitutional 

system of government, with separation of powers and checks and balances, cannot function as 

intended if the judicial branch is insufficiently resourced. We ask that Congress take into 

account the nature and importance of the work of the federal courts and continue to make the 

Judiciary a funding priority. 

Fiscal Year 2018 Priorities

The fiscal year 2018 assumed funding levels and their impact on the Judiciary are discussed 

below.

For the courts’ Salaries and Expenses account, the fiscal year 2018 assumed funding level 

will allow the Judiciary to fund priority fiscal year 2018 pay and non-pay adjustments to base. In 

addition, the fiscal year 2018 assumed appropriation funds program increases such as additional 

funding for cybersecurity requirements, infrastructure costs for new courthouse construction 

projects, National Space Reduction Program projects, and the Thurgood Marshall Federal 

Judiciary Building façade repair. 

For the Defender Services account, the assumed funding level will support all projected panel 

attorney payments, the continued implementation of the federal defender organization staffing 

formula, and cybersecurity enhancements. 

For the Court Security account, the assumed funding level will fund priority fiscal year 2018 

pay and non-pay adjustments to base. In addition, the fiscal year 2018 assumed appropriation

Foreword
ii

funds program increases such as security infrastructure for new courthouse construction projects, 

additional staff to support the physical access control systems program, and an information 

technology enhancement project to replace an obsolete system used by the U.S. Marshals 

Service. 

Finally, for the Fees of Jurors account, the assumed funding level will support all projected 

costs for petit and grand jurors at the current services level.

Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request

The fiscal year 2019 budget request will maintain current services across the Judiciary, 

sustain progress on several major ongoing initiatives, and fund a number of new investments in 

judicial operations and infrastructure. 

For the courts’ Salaries and Expenses account, the Judiciary requests $5.14 billion, an 

increase of $113 million (2.2 percent) in discretionary appropriations over the fiscal year 2018 

assumed level. This request funds a number of critical facilities-related investments, including 

$5.6 million for infrastructure and swing space requirements associated with the new courthouse 

construction funding Congress provided to the General Services Administration (GSA) in fiscal 

year 2016. In addition, it includes $13.4 million for replacement of the Probation and Pretrial 

Automated Case Tracking System, a system critical to the work of probation and pretrial services 

officers and to public safety. The request also maintains base funding for ongoing Judiciary 

cybersecurity activities, the national space reduction program, and emergency repairs to the 

façade of the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building in Washington, DC, which houses 

the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the U.S. Sentencing Commission, and the Federal 

Judicial Center.

For the Defender Services account, the Judiciary requests $1.14 billion, an increase of $64.0

million (5.9 percent) over the fiscal year 2018 assumed level. This request includes sufficient

funding to support the projected number of representations for fiscal year 2019 and to continue 

the implementation of the federal defenders staffing formula. The request also includes funding 

for panel attorneys to receive a $6 per hour increase to the non-capital panel attorney hourly rate 

(from $134 per hour to $140 per hour) to narrow the gap between the current rate and the

statutorily authorized maximum.

For the Court Security account, the Judiciary’s request includes $602.3 million, an increase 

of $32.3 million (5.7 percent) over the assumed fiscal year 2018 level, to protect judges, court 

staff, and the public at court facilities. The request includes funding for the physical access 

control systems (PACS) upgrade and replacement strategy, which will increase PACS 

investments by approximately $5 million each year from fiscal year 2019 to fiscal year 2022 to 

replace old and failing building access systems at court facilities nationwide. In addition, the

request includes $6.9 million for security systems and screening equipment at new federal 

courthouse projects planned in Toledo, Ohio; Anniston, Alabama; San Antonio, Texas; and 

Greenville, Mississippi. The request also includes $2.0 million for an additional 35 court 

security officers (CSOs) as part of the third year of the phased, multi-year implementation of 

new CSO staffing standards.
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For the Fees of Jurors account, the Judiciary seeks $51.2 million, an increase of $5.4 million 

(11.8 percent) over the fiscal year 2018 assumed level. The fiscal year 2019 request is sufficient 

to fund all projected juror requirements and includes a $10 increase to the daily juror attendance 

fee (from $40 to $50), the first such increase since 1990. 

Courthouse Construction and Capital Security Improvements

The Judiciary’s courthouse construction and capital security projects are funded from GSA’s 

budget. For fiscal year 2019, the Judiciary is focused on effectively managing the eight 

courthouse projects and two joint courthouse/federal building projects whose construction costs 

were fully funded in fiscal year 2016. In addition, the Judiciary has updated its Courthouse 

Project Priorities plan to reflect its highest construction priorities for fiscal year 2019: 

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Huntsville, Alabama; and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

For the Capital Security Program, the Judiciary requests that Congress provide GSA $25.4

million in fiscal year 2019 for additional capital security projects to ameliorate security 

deficiencies in existing courthouse buildings where physical renovations are viable in lieu of 

construction of a new courthouse. Stable, consistent funding for these projects is crucial to 

addressing serious security risks that threaten the safety and security of the Judiciary and the 

public.

Cost Containment

The Judiciary’s aggressive cost-containment efforts have achieved cost savings and cost 

avoidance for over a dozen years and will continue to do so. Many initiatives have been 

implemented and have helped limit the growth in the Judiciary’s budgetary requirements. These 

efforts focus on the areas that are expected to have the greatest impact on long-term savings, 

including GSA space rent, personnel expenses, information technology, and operating expenses. 

The Judiciary continues to make strides toward its goal of reducing its space footprint by 

three percent by the end of fiscal year 2018. As of October 2017, approximately 803,748 net

usable square feet (USF) of space has been removed from the GSA rent bill, which equates to 

92.4 percent of the Judiciary’s space reduction target of 870,305 USF and an annual rent 

avoidance of more than $24.7 million. Projects currently underway are expected to yield 

additional space reduction enabling the Judiciary to meet or exceed this target.

In addition, a joint Judiciary/GSA Service Validation Initiative (SVI) works in tandem with 

the Judiciary’s space reduction program to ensure that the services GSA provides to the Judiciary 

are reliable, transparent, fair, and accurate. SVI has improved collaboration between the 

Judiciary and GSA and produced several new space pricing policies that will significantly reduce 

the Judiciary’s space rental costs. 

The Judiciary continues to use work measurement tools to update its court support staffing 

formulas on a regular basis to incorporate best practices, shared administrative services, 

improvements in information technology, and other efficiencies.
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The Judiciary’s fiscal year 2019 discretionary budget request of $7.22 billion is summarized 

in the following pages. A more detailed description of the Judiciary’s fiscal year 2019 request, 

as well as the requests for courthouse construction and capital security requirements, can be 

found in The Judiciary, Fiscal Year 2019 Congressional Budget Justification.

John W. Lungstrum James C. Duff

United States Senior District Judge Director, Administrative Office 

 for the District of Kansas of the United States Courts

Chair, Budget Committee of the Secretary, Judicial Conference of the United States

 Judicial Conference of the United States
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Page

Foreword......................................................................................................................................... i

Overview of the Judiciary .............................................................................................................1

Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Summary - Details of Request............................................................5 

Summary Tables

Judiciary Appropriation Funding for Fiscal Year 2017 – Fiscal Year 2019........................9

Summary of FTE for Fiscal Year 2017 – Fiscal Year 2019 ..............................................10

Fiscal Year 2019 Summary of Requested Changes...........................................................11

Outlays for Fiscal Year 2017 – Fiscal Year 2019 .............................................................14

Fiscal Year 2019 Request Summary by Appropriation

Supreme Court of the United States 

Salaries and Expenses..................................................................................................17

Care of the Building and Grounds...............................................................................19

United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.....................................................23

United States Court of International Trade........................................................................25

Courts of Appeals, District Courts and Other Judicial Services (CADCOJS)

Salaries and Expenses..................................................................................................27

Defender Services........................................................................................................37

Fees of Jurors and Commissioners ..............................................................................41

Court Security ..............................................................................................................45

Administrative Office of the United States Courts............................................................51

Federal Judicial Center ......................................................................................................53

United States Sentencing Commission ..............................................................................55

Title III Administrative Provisions – The Judiciary ..........................................................57

Judicial Retirement Funds..................................................................................................61

Judiciary Space Priorities for the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request 

Courthouse Construction ...................................................................................................65

Capital Security Program...................................................................................................67

Table of Contents
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The organization of the judiciary, the district and circuit boundaries, the places of holding court, and 

the number of federal judges are established by laws passed by Congress and signed by the President. 

The number of federal judges in each district and in the courts of appeals is authorized by Congress 

on the basis of workload.

In addition to the adjudication of cases, other related functions, such as the provision of criminal 

defense services and the supervision of offenders, are prescribed by statute. Following is a brief 

overview of the work of the courts and other related activities of the Judicial Branch.

United States Supreme Court

The United States Supreme Court consists 

of nine justices, one of whom is appointed 

as Chief Justice of the United States. The 

Supreme Court is the final arbiter in the 

federal court system.

United States Courts of Appeals

There are 12 regional courts of appeals and 

167 authorized appellate court Article III 

judgeships nationwide. These 12 courts of 

appeals have jurisdiction over cases within a 

regional area or “circuit.” The 12 regional 

courts of appeals review cases from the 

United States district courts and the United 

States Tax Court as well as orders and 

decisions from a number of federal 

administrative agencies.

United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has exclusive national jurisdiction over a 

large number of diverse subject areas, including international trade, government contracts, patents, 

trademarks, certain monetary claims against the United States government, federal personnel, and 

veterans’ benefits. Appeals to the court come from all 94 federal district courts, as well as the United 

States Court of Federal Claims, the United States Court of International Trade, and the United States 

Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. There are 12 authorized Article III circuit judgeships on the 

Court.

Overview of the Judiciary
2

United States District Courts

There are 94 district courts in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 

Rico, and the territories of Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands. The 

U.S. District Courts are the courts of general jurisdiction in the federal court system, and most federal 

cases are initially tried and decided in these courts. There are 677 authorized Article III district court 

judgeships nationwide.

The Federal Magistrates Act of 1968 created the office of magistrate judge to assist the district court 

judges. Magistrate judges are non-Article III judges appointed by the district judges, and they serve 

for a term of years rather than a lifetime appointment. Full-time magistrate judges serve a term of 

eight years and may be reappointed. 

United States Bankruptcy Courts

The bankruptcy courts are separate units of the 

district courts. Federal courts have exclusive 

jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases; a bankruptcy 

case cannot be filed in a state court. United States 

bankruptcy judges are non-Article III judges 

appointed by the courts of appeals for a term of 

years, rather than a lifetime appointment. They 

serve for a term of 14 years and may be 

reappointed.

United States Court of International Trade

The Court of International Trade, with nine Article III judges, has exclusive nationwide jurisdiction 

of civil actions against the United States, its agencies and officers, and certain civil actions brought 

by the United States, arising out of import transactions and the administration and enforcement of the 

federal customs and international trade laws.

United States Court of Federal Claims

The Court of Federal Claims has nationwide 

jurisdiction over certain types of claims against 

the federal government. Its 16 judges are 

appointed for a term of 15 years by the 

President with the advice and consent of the 

Senate. Judges appointed to the Court of 

Federal Claims are authorized under Article I 

of the Constitution and do not have the tenure 

and salary protections of Article III judges.
3

Probation and Pretrial Services

Federal probation and pretrial services officers protect the public through the investigation and 

supervision of defendants and offenders within the federal criminal justice system. A pretrial services 

officer supervises defendants awaiting trial who are released into our communities and provides a 

source of information upon which the court can determine conditions of release or detention while 

criminal cases are pending adjudication. In support of sentencing determinations, which require both 

uniformity of practice and attention to individual circumstances, probation officers provide the court 

with reliable information concerning the offender, the victim, and the offense committed, as well as 

an impartial application of the sentencing guidelines. Probation officers supervise offenders 

sentenced to probation, as well as offenders coming out of federal prison who are required to serve a 

term of supervised release.

Defender Services

The federal judiciary oversees and administers the federal defender and appointed counsel program, 

which provides legal representation and other services to persons financially unable to obtain counsel 

in criminal and related matters in federal court. The Sixth Amendment to the Constitution guarantees 

that “[i]n all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right...to have the assistance of 

counsel for his defense.” The Criminal Justice Act provides that courts shall appoint counsel from 

federal public and community defender organizations or from a panel of private attorneys (“panel 

attorneys”) established by the court. 

Court Security

The judiciary’s Court Security appropriation funds protective guard services and security systems and 

equipment for United States courthouses and other facilities housing federal court operations. These 

services are contracted for and managed by the Department of Justice’s United States Marshals 

Service, with additional guard services provided by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal 

Protective Service.

Fees of Jurors and Commissioners

The judiciary receives funding to provide for the statutory fees and allowances of federal grand and 

petit jurors and for the compensation of land commissioners.

Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts

The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts is the central support entity for the judicial branch. It 

has management oversight of the court security program, the probation and pretrial services program, 

and the defender services program. It supports the Judicial Conference of the United States in 

determining judiciary policies; develops new methods, systems, and programs for conducting the 

business of the federal courts efficiently and economically; develops and supports the application of 

technology; collects and analyzes statistics on the business of the federal courts for accurate planning 

and decisions about resource needs; provides financial management services and personnel and 
4

payroll support; and conducts audits and reviews to ensure the continued quality and integrity of 

federal court operations.

Federal Judicial Center

The Federal Judicial Center is the judiciary’s research and education agency. The Center undertakes 

research and evaluation of judicial operations and procedures for both the committees of the Judicial 

Conference and the courts themselves. It provides judges, court personnel, and others orientation, 

continuing education and training through seminars; curriculum units for in-court use; monographs 

and manuals; and audio, video, and interactive media programs.

Payment to Judicial Trust Funds

This appropriation finances annuity payments to retired bankruptcy judges and magistrate judges, 

U.S. Court of Federal Claims judges, and spouses and dependent children of deceased judicial 

officers.

United States Sentencing Commission

The U.S. Sentencing Commission promulgates sentencing 

policies, practices, and guidelines for the federal criminal 

justice system. The Chair, three Vice Chairs, and three other 

voting commissioners are appointed by the President with the 

advice and consent of the Senate.
5

The judiciary’s appropriation request for fiscal year 2019 totals $7,862,979,000 (including

$638,749,000 in mandatory appropriations and $7,224,230,000 in discretionary appropriations), 

an increase of $245,549,000, or 3.2 percent, over the fiscal year 2018 assumed appropriations. 

Of the total increase, $22,136,000 is for mandatory appropriations (3.6 percent increase) and 

$223,413,000 is for discretionary appropriations (3.2 percent increase).

Fiscal Year 2018 Appropriations Assumption

In the absence of enacted full fiscal year 2018 appropriations, the judiciary made assumptions to 

construct a fiscal year 2019 budget request. The specific assumption for each account is detailed 

below in each section of this Congressional Budget Summary as well as in each chapter of the 

full Fiscal Year 2019 Congressional Budget Justification. After full-year fiscal year 2018 

appropriations are enacted, the judiciary will re-estimate its fiscal year 2019 budget request and 

transmit to the Appropriations Committees any changes to fiscal year 2019 appropriations 

requirements and language. 

Further, for bill language, the judiciary used the language from H.R. 3280, the House 

Appropriations Committee-passed fiscal year 2018 Financial Services and General Government 

appropriations bill, updated with the fiscal year 2018 assumed funding level, as the closest 

approximation of eventual enacted fiscal year 2018 appropriations language. 

Adjustments to Base (Mandatory Appropriations) 

A $22.1 million increase is requested for mandatory judiciary appropriations, as follows: 

1. An increase of $16.7 million is required for the judiciary retirement trust funds accounts 

based on requirements calculated by an independent actuary.

2. An increase of $2.6 million is associated with one additional senior judge FTE and an 

additional 10 active Article III judges FTE (based on an assumption of 40 confirmations).

3. An increase of $2.9 million is for pay and benefit adjustments for Article III judges for the 

Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the Court of International 

Trade, and Article III and bankruptcy judges within the Salaries and Expenses account, 

including the annualization of the fiscal year 2018 pay adjustment.

Adjustments to Base (Discretionary Appropriations)

A total of $168.0 million (75.2 percent) of the requested $223.4 million discretionary increase 

will provide for pay adjustments, inflation and other adjustments to base necessary to maintain 

current services. 
6

Base adjustments include:

1. An increase of $89.8 million will provide for inflationary pay and benefit rate increases for 

magistrate and claims judges, judges’ staff, and supporting personnel. This includes 

annualizing the January 2018 pay adjustment, changes in benefit costs, one more 

compensable day, and a wage rate adjustment for court security officers.

2. An increase of $83.7 million is necessary to replace non-appropriated sources of funds used 

in fiscal year 2018 to support base requirements with direct appropriations for the courts’ 

Salaries and Expenses, Defender Services, and Fees of Jurors accounts. The judiciary will 

keep the Appropriations Subcommittees informed of any change in this estimate. 

3. An increase of $18.3 million will provide for increases in contract rates and other standard 

inflationary increases.

4. An increase of $8.2 million is associated with a change in panel attorney representations for 

the Defender Services program. 

5. A net increase of $8.0 million is associated with adjustments to court security systems and 

equipment requirements.

6. An increase of $7.7 million is associated with an additional three senior judges’ staff and an 

additional 51 active Article III judges’ staff.

7. A net increase of $3.0 million is associated with a net increase of $22.7 million for space 

rental adjustments, $12.2 million for other space-related adjustments, and $2.9 million for the

annualization of new space expected to be delivered in fiscal year 2018 partially offset by 

$34.8 million in savings due to a new GSA pricing policy and space reduction efforts.

8. An increase of $1.6 million will provide for estimated increases in Federal Protective Service 

(FPS) security charges, based on rates established by FPS.

9. An increase of $0.3 million will provide for the annualization of five positions at the United 

States Marshals Service funded in fiscal year 2018 dedicated to support the physical access 

control systems program.

10. A decrease of $36.7 million with the courts’ Salaries and Expenses account is due to a 

reduction in base requirements to reflect lower staffing requirements associated with fiscal 

year 2019 workload and lower anticipated court spending on salaries and operating expenses.

11. A decrease of $5.3 million is due to reduced information technology requirements and 

contractor conversions to permanent positions.

12. A decrease of $4.9 million is for non-recurring costs associated with the evidence-based 

practices training and curricula materials.
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13. A decrease of $4.8 million is associated with non-recurring project requirements associated 

with the Supreme Court’s Care of the Building and Grounds account.

14. A decrease of $0.5 million is associated with a projected net change in juror costs.

15. A decrease of $0.4 million is associated with court staff reductions at the Court of 

International Trade.

Program Increases (Discretionary Appropriations)

The remaining $55.4 million (24.8 percent) of the requested increase is for program 

enhancements including:

1. An increase of $13.4 million is for the replacement of the Probation and Pretrial Services 

Automated Case Tracking System. 

2. An increase of $12.4 million will support telecommunications, swing space, and security 

requirements for new courthouse construction projects. 

3. An increase of $5.5 million is to implement the physical access control systems replacement 

strategy, which would increase funding requirements by approximately $5.0 million each 

year from fiscal year 2019 to fiscal year 2022.

4. An increase of $5.2 million will support four positions (two FTE) and maintenance and 

infrastructure upgrades requirements for Supreme Court facilities.

5. An increase of $5.1 million is for an increase to the daily juror attendance rate from $40 to 

$50.

6. An increase of $4.0 million will support 4 additional magistrate judge positions (4 FTE), 12 

support staff (12 FTE), and associated operating costs for San Juan, Puerto Rico; McAllen, 

Texas; Rapid City, South Dakota; and Atlanta, Georgia.

7. A net increase of $3.3 million is associated with projected defender services workload. This 

consists of an increase of $6.8 million for 56 federal public defender organization (FPDO) 

positions/28 FTE and 14 community defender organization (CDO) positions for the 

continued implementation of the federal defender office (FDO) staffing formula, partially 

offset by a decrease of $3.5 million associated with a change in projected panel attorney 

requirements as newly hired FDO staff assume some of the capital work previously handled 

by panel attorneys.

8. An increase of $2.2 million will support 27 new positions (14 FTE) for security requirements 

for the Supreme Court.
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9. An increase of $2.0 million will support an additional 35 court security officer (CSO)

positions consistent with the continued implementation of the new CSO staffing standards. 

10. An increase of $1.9 million will provide for a $6 hourly rate increase above inflation, from 

$134 to $140 per hour, for non-capital panel attorney cases for the Defender Services

account, effective January 2019.

11. An increase of $0.3 million will support one position (one FTE) and cybersecurity 

requirements for the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

12. An increase of $0.2 million will support three reimbursable positions (two FTE) consisting of 

an attorney advisor and two other professional staff to support training programs for federal 

defender staff and panel attorneys.
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Summary Tables

 Appropriation Account Mandatory1 Discretionary Total Mandatory1 Discretionary Total Mandatory Discretionary Total

Supreme Court

 Salaries and Expenses 2,611 76,668 79,279 2,651 80,669 83,320 2,663 84,359 87,022

 Building and Grounds - 14,868 14,868 - 15,328 15,328 - 15,999 15,999

 Total, Supreme Court 2,611 91,536 94,147 2,651 95,997 98,648 2,663 100,358 103,021

Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit 2,942 30,108 33,050 2,997 30,350 33,347 3,018 31,274 34,292

Court of International Trade 1,573 18,462 20,035 2,074 18,509 20,583 2,087 19,070 21,157

Courts of Appeals, District Courts,

 and Other Judicial Services:

 Salaries and Expenses 399,262 4,996,445 5,395,707 413,891 5,019,749 5,433,640 419,281 5,132,543 5,551,824

 Vaccine Injury Trust Fund - 6,510 6,510 - 8,221 8,221 - 8,475 8,475

 Total, Salaries and Expenses 399,262 5,002,955 5,402,217 413,891 5,027,970 5,441,861 419,281 5,141,018 5,560,299

 Defender Services - 1,044,647 1,044,647 - 1,077,511 1,077,511 - 1,141,489 1,141,489

 Fees of Jurors & Commissioners - 39,929 39,929 - 45,829 45,829 - 51,233 51,233

 Court Security - 565,388 565,388 - 569,990 569,990 - 602,309 602,309

 Subtotal, CADCOJS 399,262 6,652,919 7,052,181 413,891 6,721,300 7,135,191 419,281 6,936,049 7,355,330

Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts - 87,500 87,500 - 87,920 87,920 - 89,867 89,867

Federal Judicial Center - 28,335 28,335 - 28,522 28,522 - 29,064 29,064

Judicial Retirement Funds 168,300 - 168,300 195,000 - 195,000 211,700 - 211,700

Sentencing Commission - 18,100 18,100 - 18,219 18,219 - 18,548 18,548

 Total Direct 574,688 6,920,450 7,495,138 616,613 6,992,596 7,609,209 638,749 7,215,755 7,854,504

 Vaccine Injury Trust Fund - 6,510 6,510 - 8,221 8,221 - 8,475 8,475

 Total, Judiciary 574,688 6,926,960 7,501,648 616,613 7,000,817 7,617,430 638,749 7,224,230 7,862,979

1

 FY 2017 mandatory levels reflect actuals, with the exception of Supreme Court which reflects the FY 2017 financial plan level. FY 2018 mandatory levels represent

 FY 2018 assumed financial plan levels.

 THE JUDICIARY 

Judiciary Appropriation Funding ($000)

FY 2017 Enacted FY 2018 Assumed Appropriation FY 2019 Request
10

 Appropriation Account Mandatory Discretionary Total Mandatory Discretionary Total Mandatory Discretionary Total

Supreme Court

 Salaries and Expenses 9 488 497 9 495 504 9 509 518

 Building and Grounds - 43 43 - 50 50 - 52 52

 Total, Supreme Court 9 531 540 9 545 554 9 561 570

Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit 12 133 145 12 139 151 12 140 152

Court of International Trade 7 55 62 9 71 80 9 68 77

Courts of Appeals, District Courts,

 and Other Judicial Services:

 Salaries and Expenses 1,763 26,096 27,859 1,774 26,197 27,971 1,785 26,267 28,052

 Vaccine Injury Trust Fund - - - - - - - - -

 Total, Salaries and Expenses 1,763 26,096 27,859 1,774 26,197 27,971 1,785 26,267 28,052

 Defender Services - 2,855 2,855 - 2,991 2,991 - 3,019 3,019

 Fees of Jurors & Commissioners - - - - - - - - -

 Court Security - 61 61 - 73 73 - 75 75

 Subtotal, CADCOJS 1,763 29,012 30,775 1,774 29,261 31,035 1,785 29,361 31,146

Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts - 594 594 - 621 621 - 621 621

Federal Judicial Center - 128 128 - 128 128 - 128 128

Judicial Retirement Funds - - - - - - - - -

Sentencing Commission - 94 94 - 95 95 - 95 95

 Total Direct 1,791 30,547 32,338 1,804 30,860 32,664 1,815 30,974 32,789

 Reimbursables, AO - 440 440 - 510 510 - 522 522

 Total, Judiciary 1,791 30,987 32,778 1,804 31,370 33,174 1,815 31,496 33,311

Summary of FTE

 THE JUDICIARY 

FY 2017 Actual FY 2018 Assumed Appropriation FY 2019 Request
11

Supreme Federal International

Court Circuit Trade CADCOJS1 Office

FTE ($000) FTE ($000) FTE ($000) FTEs ($000)

FY 2018 Assumed Appropriation Level - Mandatory 9 2,651 12 2,997 9 2,074 1,774 413,891

FY 2018 Assumed Appropriation Level - Discretionary 545 95,997 139 30,350 71 18,509 29,261 6,713,079

 FY 2018 Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund - - - - - - - 8,221

 AO Reimbursable FTE

FY 2018 Available Appropriation 554 98,648 151 33,347 80 20,583 31,035 7,135,191

FY 2019 Adjustments to Base

Judges:

- Pay and benefit cost adjustments - 12 - 21 - 13 - 3,921

- Additional senior judges - - - - - - 4 634

- Increase in average number of filled Article III judges - - - - - 61 9,648

- Payments to judiciary retirement trust funds - - - - - - - - Court Personnel:

- Pay and benefit cost adjustments - 1,230 - 373 - 131 - 77,821

- Annualization of USMS positions added in FY 2018 - - - - - - 2 280

- Court staff reduction - - - - (3) (364) - - Other Changes:

- Funding necessary to maintain current services - - - - - - - 83,664

- Inflation (non-space-related) - 444 - 129 - 24 - 17,175

- Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund adjustment - - - - - - - 254

- Space related costs (includes inflation for space rental rates) - - - 123 - 759 - 2,139

- Information technology requirements - - - - - - - (5,263)

- Change in projected panel attorney attorney workload - - - - - - - 8,245

- Change in available jurors - - - - - - - (518)

- Adjustments to base (non-recurring requirements) - (4,800) - - - - - -

- Reduction in court salary and non-salary requirements - - - - - - - (36,692)

- FPS security service charges - - - - - 11 - 1,600

- FY 2019 court security officer wage adjustments - - - - - - - 6,599

- Adjustments to base for security systems and equipment - - - - - - - 7,952

- Evidence-based practices (non-recurring requirements) - - - - - - - (4,943)

 Subtotal, FY 2019 Adjustments to Base - (3,114) - 646 (3) 574 67 172,516

Total Adjustments to Base, Mandatory - 12 - 21 - 13 11 5,390

Total Adjustments to Base, Discretionary - (3,126) - 625 (3) 561 56 167,126

 AO Reimbursable FTE changes

FY 2019 Adjusted Base 554 95,534 151 33,993 77 21,157 31,102 7,307,707

FY 2019 Program Increases

Judges:

- Magistrate judges and staff - - - - - - 16 3,975 Court Personnel and Programs:

- Additional security positions for Supreme Court 14 2,240 - - - - - -

- Four new positions for Supreme Court facilities 2 248 - - - - - -

- Improvements to Supreme Court facilities and infrastructure - 4,999 - - - - - -

- Training positions - - - - - - - 186

- Non-Capital panel attorney hourly rate increase (from $134 to $140) - - - - - - - 1,862

- Continued implementation of the FDO staffing formula - - - - - - 28 6,755

- Offsetting reduction associated with capital workload - - - - - - - (3,500)

- Cybersecurity requirements - - 1 299 - - - -

- Probation and pretrial automated case tracking system requirements - - - - - - - 13,385

- Increase to the juror daily rate (from $40 to $50) - - - - - - - 5,070

- Physical access control systems replacement strategy - - - - - - - 5,520

- Infrastructure for new courthouse construction projects - - - - - - - 12,417

- Phased implementation (3rd year) of CSO staffing standards (35 CSOs) - - - - - - - 1,953

 Subtotal, FY 2019 Program Increases 16 7,487 1 299 - - 44 47,623

Total Program Increases, Mandatory - - - - - - - -

Total Program Increases, Discretionary 16 7,487 1 299 - - 44 47,623

 AO Reimbursable FTE changes

Total Mandatory Increases - 12 - 21 - 13 11 5,390

Total Discretionary Increases 16 4,361 1 924 (3) 561 100 214,749

 AO Reimbursable FTE changes Total Increases Requested, FY 2019 16 4,373 1 945 (3) 574 111 220,139

Total Mandatory 9 2,663 12 3,018 9 2,087 1,785 419,281 Total Discretionary 561 100,358 140 31,274 68 19,070 29,361 6,936,049

 AO Reimbursable FTE

FY 2019 Appropriation Request 570 103,021 152 34,292 77 21,157 31,146 7,355,330

1 Includes Salaries and Expenses, Defender Services, Fees of Jurors and Commissioners, and Court Security accounts

Total 

FY 2019 Summary of Requested Changes
12

Administrative Fed. Judicial Sentencing Judicial Total Office Center Commission Retirement Funds Judiciary

FTE ($000) FTE ($000) FTE ($000) ($000) FTE ($000)

FY 2018 Assumed Appropriation Level - Mandatory - - - - - - 195,000 1,804 616,613 

FY 2018 Assumed Appropriation Level - Discretionary 87,920 621 128 28,522 95 18,219 - 30,860 6,992,596 

 FY 2018 Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund - - - - - - - - 8,221 

 AO Reimbursable FTE 510 510

FY 2018 Available Appropriation 1,131 87,920 128 28,522 95 18,219 195,000 33,174 7,617,430 

FY 2019 Adjustments to Base

Judges:

- Pay and benefit cost adjustments - - - - - - - - 3,967 

- Additional senior judges - - - - - - - 4 634 

- Increase in average number of filled Article III judges - - - - - - - 61 9,648 

- Payments to judiciary retirement trust funds - - - - - - 16,700 - 16,700 Court Personnel:

- Pay and benefit cost adjustments - 1,877 - 399 - 239 - - 82,070 

- Annualization of USMS positions added in FY 2018 - - - - - - - 2 280 

- Court staff reduction - - - - - - - (3) (364) Other Changes:

- Funding necessary to maintain current services - - - - - - - - 83,664 

- Inflation (non-space-related) - 70 - 143 - 90 - - 18,075 

- Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund adjustment - - - - - - - - 254 

- Space related costs (includes inflation for space rental rates) - - - - - - - - 3,021 

- Information technology requirements - - - - - - - - (5,263) 

- Change in projected panel attorney attorney workload - - - - - - - - 8,245 

- Change in available jurors - - - - - - - - (518) 

- Adjustments to base (non-recurring requirements) - - - - - - - - (4,800) 

- Reduction in court salary and non-salary requirements - - - - - - - - (36,692) 

- FPS security service charges - - - - - - - - 1,611 

- FY 2019 court security officer wage adjustments - - - - - - - - 6,599 

- Adjustments to base for security systems and equipment - - - - - - - - 7,952 

- Evidence-based practices (non-recurring requirements) - - - - - - - - (4,943) 

 Subtotal, FY 2019 Adjustments to Base - 1,947 - 542 - 329 16,700 190,140 64 

Total Adjustments to Base, Mandatory - - - - - - 16,700 22,136 11

Total Adjustments to Base, Discretionary - 1,947 - 542 - 329 - 53 168,004 

 AO Reimbursable FTE changes 10 10

FY 2019 Adjusted Base 89,867 1,141 128 29,064 95 18,548 211,700 33,248 7,807,570 

FY 2019 Program Increases

Judges:

- Magistrate judges and staff - - - - - - - 16 3,975 Court Personnel and Programs:

- Additional security positions for Supreme Court - - - - - - - 14 2,240 

- Four new positions for Supreme Court facilities - - - - - - - 2 248 

- Improvements to Supreme Court facilities and infrastructure - - - - - - - - 4,999 

- Training positions - - - - - - - - 186 

- Non-Capital panel attorney hourly rate increase (from $134 to $140) - - - - - - - - 1,862 

- Continued implementation of the FDO staffing formula - - - - - - - 28 6,755 

- Offsetting reduction associated with capital workload - - - - - - - - (3,500) 

- Cybersecurity requirements - - - - - - - 1 299 

- Probation and pretrial automated case tracking system requirements - - - - - - - - 13,385 

- Increase to the juror daily rate (from $40 to $50) - - - - - - - - 5,070 

- Physical access control systems replacement strategy - - - - - - - - 5,520 

- Infrastructure for new courthouse construction projects - - - - - - - - 12,417 

- Phased implementation (3rd year) of CSO staffing standards (35 CSOs) - - - - - - - - 1,953 

 Subtotal, FY 2019 Program Increases - - - - - - - 61 55,409 

Total Program Increases, Mandatory - - - - - - - - - 

Total Program Increases, Discretionary - - - - - - - 61 55,409 

 AO Reimbursable FTE changes 2 2 

Total Mandatory Increases - - - - - - 16,700 22,136 11

Total Discretionary Increases - 1,947 - 542 - 329 - 114 223,413 

 AO Reimbursable FTE changes 12 12 Total Increases Requested, FY 2019 12 1,947 - 542 - 329 16,700 245,549 125 

Total Mandatory - - - - - - 211,700 1,815 638,749 Total Discretionary 89,867 621 128 29,064 95 18,548 - 30,974 7,224,230 

 AO Reimbursable FTE 522 522

FY 2019 Appropriation Request 1,143 89,867 128 29,064 95 18,548 211,700 33,311 7,862,979 

FY 2019 Summary of Requested Changes
13

Salaries Defender Fees of Jurors and Court

and Expenses Services Commissioners Security CADCOJS FTE ($000) FTE ($000) ($000) FTE ($000) FTEs ($000)

FY 2018 Assumed Appropriation Level - Mandatory 1,774 413,891 - - - - - 1,774 413,891 

FY 2018 Assumed Appropriation Level - Discretionary 26,197 5,019,749 2,991 1,077,511 45,829 73 569,990 29,261 6,713,079 

 FY 2018 Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund - 8,221 - - - - - - 8,221 

 AO Reimbursable FTE

FY 2018 Available Appropriation 27,971 5,441,861 2,991 1,077,511 45,829 73 569,990 31,035 7,135,191 

FY 2019 Adjustments to Base

Judges:

- Pay and benefit cost adjustments - 3,921 - - - - - - 3,921 

- Additional senior judges 4 634 - - - - - 4 634 

- Increase in average number of filled Article III judges 9,648 - 61 - - - - 61 9,648 

- Payments to judiciary retirement trust funds - - - - - - - - - Court Personnel:

- Pay and benefit cost adjustments - 62,078 - 13,880 - - 1,863 - 77,821 

- Annualization of USMS positions added in FY 2018 - - - - - 2 280 2 280 

- Court staff reduction - - - - - - - - - Other Changes:

- Funding necessary to maintain current services - 49,917 - 33,350 397 - - - 83,664 

- Inflation (non-space-related) - 14,477 `` 2,088 455 - 155 - 17,175 

- Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund adjustment - 254 - - - - - - 254 

- Space related costs (includes inflation for space rental rates) - 1,481 - 1,112 - - (454) - 2,139 

- Information technology requirements - (5,263) - - - - - - (5,263) 

- Change in projected panel attorney attorney workload - - - 8,245 - - - - 8,245 

- Change in available jurors - - - - (518) - - - (518) 

- Adjustments to base (non-recurring requirements) - - - - - - - - - 

- Reduction in court salary and non-salary requirements - (36,692) - - - - - - (36,692) 

- FPS security service charges - - - - - - 1,600 - 1,600 

- FY 2019 court security officer wage adjustments - - - - - - 6,599 - 6,599 

- Adjustments to base for security systems and equipment - - - - - - 7,952 - 7,952 

- Evidence-based practices (non-recurring requirements) - (4,943) - - - - - - (4,943) 

 Subtotal, FY 2019 Adjustments to Base 95,512 - 58,675 65 334 2 17,995 172,516 67

Total Adjustments to Base, Mandatory 11 5,390 - - - - - 11 5,390 

Total Adjustments to Base, Discretionary 54 90,122 - 58,675 334 2 17,995 167,126 56 

 AO Reimbursable FTE changes FY 2019 Adjusted Base 28,036 5,537,373 2,991 1,136,186 46,163 75 587,985 31,102 7,307,707 

FY 2019 Program Increases

Judges:

- Magistrate judges and staff 3,975 - 16 - - - - 16 3,975 Court Personnel and Programs:

- Additional security positions for Supreme Court - - - - - - - - - 

- Four new positions for Supreme Court facilities - - - - - - - - - 

- Improvements to Supreme Court facilities and infrastructure - - - - - - - - - 

- Training positions - - - 186 - - - - 186 

- Non-Capital panel attorney hourly rate increase (from $134 to $140) - - - 1,862 - - - - 1,862 

- Continued implementation of the FDO staffing formula - - 28 6,755 - - - 28 6,755 

- Offsetting reduction associated with capital workload - - - (3,500) - - - - (3,500) 

- Cybersecurity requirements - - - - - - - - - 

- Probation and pretrial automated case tracking system requirements - 13,385 - - - - - - 13,385 

- Increase to the juror daily rate (from $40 to $50) - - - - 5,070 - - - 5,070 

- Physical access control systems replacement strategy - - - - - - 5,520 - 5,520 

- Infrastructure for new courthouse construction projects - 5,566 - - - - 6,851 - 12,417 

- Phased implementation (3rd year) of CSO staffing standards (35 CSOs) - - - - - - 1,953 - 1,953 

 Subtotal, FY 2019 Program Increases 16 22,926 28 5,303 5,070 - 14,324 47,623 44 

Total Program Increases, Mandatory - - - - - - - - - 

Total Program Increases, Discretionary 16 22,926 28 5,303 5,070 - 14,324 47,623 44 

 AO Reimbursable FTE changes

Total Mandatory Increases 11 5,390 - - - - - 11 5,390 

Total Discretionary Increases 70 113,048 28 63,978 5,404 2 32,319 214,749 100 

 AO Reimbursable FTE changes Total Increases Requested, FY 2019 118,438 81 63,978 28 5,404 2 32,319 220,139 111 

Total Mandatory 1,785 419,281 - - - - - 1,785 419,281 Total Discretionary 26,267 5,141,018 3,019 1,141,489 51,233 75 602,309 29,361 6,936,049 

 AO Reimbursable FTE

FY 2019 Appropriation Request 28,052 5,560,299 3,019 1,141,489 51,233 75 602,309 31,146 7,355,330 

Total 

FY 2019 Summary of Requested Changes - Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and Other Judicial Services (CADCOJS) Details
14

 Appropriation FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019

Supreme Court

 Discretionary 73,964 81,147 83,748

 Mandatory 2,611 2,651 2,633

 Total, Salaries and Expenses 76,575 83,798 86,381

 Buildings and Grounds 10,014 15,220 16,482

Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

 Discretionary 26,039 33,679 31,058

 Mandatory 2,942 2,997 3,018

 Total, Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit 28,981 36,676 34,076

Court of International Trade

 Discretionary 14,219 23,778 19,306

 Mandatory 1,573 2,074 2,087

 Total, Court of International Trade 15,792 25,852 21,393

Courts of Appeals, District Courts,

 and Other Judicial Services:

 Salaries and Expenses - Discretionary 4,964,057 5,119,109 5,119,719

 Salaries and Expenses - Mandatory 399,262 413,891 419,281

 Total, Salaries and Expenses 5,363,319 5,533,000 5,539,000

 Defender Services 1,045,050 1,054,173 1,141,327

 Fees of Jurors & Commissioners 45,389 47,010 50,568

 Court Security 528,138 591,000 601,000

Total, Courts of Appeals, District Courts,

 and Other Judicial Services 6,981,896 7,225,183 7,331,895

Administrative Office of the United 

 States Courts 77,275 76,520 89,267

Federal Judicial Center 28,280 28,607 28,742

Judicial Retirement Funds (Mandatory) 168,300 195,000 211,700

United States Sentencing Commission 15,382 18,070 18,996

 Subtotal, Discretionary 6,827,807 7,088,313 7,200,213

 Subtotal, Mandatory 574,688 616,613 638,719

 Total, Judiciary 7,402,495 7,704,926 7,838,932

THE JUDICIARY

Outlays - FY 2017 to FY 2019
15

Fiscal Year 2019 Request

Summary by Appropriation
16

PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
17

Supreme Court of the United States

Salaries and Expenses

FTE ($000) FTE ($000) FTE ($000)

FY 2018 Assumed Appropriation 9 2,651 495 80,669 504 83,320

Adjustments to Base - 12 - 1,450 - 1,462

Program Increases - - 14 2,240 14 2,240

FY 2019 Appropriation Request 9 2,663 509 84,359 518 87,022

FY 2019 Request

Mandatory Discretionary Total

The U.S. Supreme Court requests $87.0 million ($2.7 million for mandatory expenses and $84.4

million for discretionary expenses) in fiscal year 2019 for the Salaries and Expenses account. 

The $84.4 million request for discretionary appropriations represents a 4.6 percent increase over 

the fiscal year 2018 assumed discretionary appropriation. For this account, the fiscal year 2018 

discretionary appropriations assumption is $80.7 million, which is the fiscal year 2018 Senate 

mark. This request reflects the necessary adjustments to base to maintain current services and a 

program increase for additional security upgrades.

I. Mandatory Adjustments to Base

The fiscal year 2019 request includes $12,000 for standard pay increases and changes in benefits

for the Chief Justice and the Associate Justices. 

II. Discretionary Adjustments to Base

The Supreme Court requests a $1.5 million increase for discretionary expenses in fiscal 

year 2019 for standard pay and other inflationary adjustments. 

III. Program Increases

The fiscal year 2019 request includes $2.2 million for 27 new positions for security

requirements.

IV. Appropriations Language

Supreme Court of the United States 

Salaries and Expenses

For expenses necessary for the operation of the Supreme Court, as required by law, excluding 

care of the building and grounds, including hire of passenger motor vehicles as authorized by 
18

31 U.S.C. 1343 and 1344; not to exceed $10,000 for official reception and representation 

expenses; and for miscellaneous expenses, to be expended as the Chief Justice may approve, 

[$80,669,000]$84,359,000, of which $1,500,000 shall remain available until expended.

In addition, there are appropriated such sums as may be necessary under current law for salaries 

of the chief justice and associate justices of the court.

(H.R. 3280 - Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2018, updated to 

reflect the judiciary’s fiscal year 2018 assumed appropriation)

V. Summary of Obligations

Category

FY 2017

Actual

FY 2018

Assumed

Obligations/

Appropriation

FY 2019

Request

Requested

Increase/

Decrease

Compensation and Benefits 60,191 64,712 67,081 2,369

Rent, Communications and Utilities 737 1,202 1,223 21

Travel 667 977 1,094 117

Other 16,319 16,429 17,624 1,195

Total Obligations 77,914 83,320 87,022 3,702

Financing Adjustment 1,365 - - -

Available Appropriation 79,279 83,320 87,022 3,702

 Mandatory Appropriation 2,611 2,651 2,663 12

 Discretionary Appropriation 76,668 80,669 84,359 3,690

U.S. Supreme Court - Salaries and Expenses

Comparative Summary of Obligations by Category

($000)
19

Supreme Court of the United States

Care of the Building and Grounds

FTE ($000)

FY 2018 Assumed Appropriation 50 15,328

Adjustments to Base - (4,576)

Program Increases 2 5,247

FY 2019 Appropriation Request 52 15,999

FY 2019 Request

Discretionary

The U.S. Supreme Court requests $16.0 million for its Care of the Building and Grounds account 

in fiscal year 2019, a 4.4 percent increase over the fiscal year 2018 assumed appropriation. For 

this account, the fiscal year 2018 appropriations assumption is $15.3 million, which is the current 

services level.

The Architect of the Capitol provides for the structural and mechanical care of the United States 

Supreme Court Building and Grounds, including maintenance and operation of mechanical, 

electrical, and electronic equipment. This request includes the necessary adjustments to base to 

maintain current services and program increases for four additional positions (2 FTE), parts and 

maintenance for the new Building Automation System (BAS), replacement of steam convector 

valves, small-scale construction and renovation, and an initiative to upgrade the Court’s 

electrical systems and critical infrastructure.

I. Discretionary Adjustments to Base

The Supreme Court requests a net decrease of $4.6 million consisting of an increase of $0.2

million for standard pay and other inflationary adjustments, offset by a decrease of $4.8 million 

for non-recurring costs associated with the Interior Courtyard Stone Cleaning and Restoration 

project.

II. Program Increases

The fiscal year 2019 budget request for the Building and Grounds account includes $5.3 million 

for program increases.

1. Engineering Technician (re-request from fiscal year 2018): $74,000 and 0.5 FTE

The Court requests $74,000 and one position (0.5 FTE) for the implementation, maintenance, 

and oversight of a building performance monitoring system that uses increased technology 

through the BAS, Direct Digital Controls (DDC), and Utility Metering. Increased 

technology in the BAS, DDC, and Utility Metering necessitates additional and unique skills. 

The BAS monitors building performance across all systems (heating, ventilation, and air 
20

conditioning (HVAC), electrical, and utility metering) to maintain building operational set 

points (temperature and relative humidity). The proposed position will have the necessary 

computer programming, trending, and analytical evaluation expertise. 

2. Direct digital controls specialist (re-request from fiscal year 2018): 

$49,000 and 0.5 FTE

The Court requests $49,000 and one position (0.5 FTE) for a preventive maintenance 

program to perform troubleshooting and repair for the DDC equipment and software installed 

during the modernization. The proposed position will have the technical expertise to 

troubleshoot or restore and repair electronic sensing and control equipment in support of 

HVAC operations.

3. Supervisory general engineer: $84,000 and 0.5 FTE

The Court requests $84,000 and one position (0.5 FTE) for the supervision and management 

of engineers and contract specialists responsible for engineering and analysis of facility 

construction matters supporting the repair, restoration, and modernization of the Supreme 

Court Buildings and Grounds. Project and construction staff requiring supervision have 

increased from only a few people to a staff of 20-25.

4. Junior engineer: $41,000 and 0.5 FTE

The Court requests $41,000 and one position (0.5 FTE) for an entry/developmental level 

position.

5. Web control technology system (re-request from fiscal year 2018): $0.1 million

The Court requests $0.1 million for replacement parts, preventive maintenance, and system 

integrity oversight for the new BAS. This will also fund the connection of additional 

equipment to the network that is not currently monitored.

6. Replace steam convector valves (re-request from fiscal year 2018): $0.1 million

The Court requests $0.1 million for the replacement of the original 400 steam convectors,

which are past their service life. This funding will replace 50 convectors per year on a 

cyclical basis and provide for annual maintenance and repair of components (gland seals, 

steam trap repair kits, control heads). The convectors, steam pipes, and condensate lines are 

original building design/components and have not been modernized, overhauled, or had any 

capital investments to the system. 

7. Electrical resiliency: $4.2 million

The Court requests $4.2 million for a project to upgrade the Court’s electrical systems and 

other critical infrastructure. This project was necessitated by a series of recent unplanned 

electrical outages to the Court’s primary data center and telecommunications systems.
21

8. Minor construction funding: $0.5 million

The Court requests $0.5 million for a dedicated funding source for small-scale construction 

and renovation projects that arise during the course of a year. Due to unforeseen events, 

requests are often received for construction, renovation, and improvement projects that are 

urgent in nature, and having a source of dedicated funding will provide the flexibility to 

handle the requests.

III. Appropriations Language

Supreme Court of the United States 

Care of the Building and Grounds

For such expenditures as may be necessary to enable the Architect of the Capitol to carry out the 

duties imposed upon the Architect by 40 U.S.C. 6111 and 6112, [$15,328,000]$15,999,000, to 

remain available until expended.

H.R. 3280 - Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2018, updated to 

reflect the judiciary’s fiscal year 2018 assumed appropriation)

IV. Summary of Obligations

Category

FY 2017

Actual

FY 2018

Assumed

Obligations/

Appropriation

FY 2019

Request

Requested

Increase/

Decrease

Compensation and Benefits 4,971 5,104 5,609 505

Rent, Communications and Utilities 2,164 2,180 2,183 3

Other 2,913 9,116 10,275 1,159

Total Obligations 10,048 16,400 18,067 1,667

Financing Adjustment 4,820 (1,072) (2,068) (996)

Available Appropriation 14,868 15,328 15,999 671

U.S. Supreme Court - Care of the Building and Grounds

Comparative Summary of Obligations by Category

($000)
22

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23

 United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Salaries and Expenses

FTE ($000) FTE ($000) FTE ($000)

FY 2018 Assumed Appropriation 12 2,997 139 30,350 151 33,347

Adjustments to Base - 21 - 625 - 646

Program Increases - - 1 299 1 299

FY 2019 Appropriation Request 12 3,018 140 31,274 152 34,292

FY 2019 Request

Mandatory Discretionary Total

The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit requests $34.3 million ($3.0 million for mandatory 

expenses and $31.3 million for discretionary expenses) for fiscal year 2019. 

The $31.3 million request for discretionary appropriations represents a 3.0 percent increase over

the fiscal year 2018 assumed discretionary appropriation. For this account, the fiscal year 2018 

discretionary appropriations assumption is $30.4 million, which is the midpoint between the 

fiscal year 2017 enacted appropriation and the fiscal year 2018 House mark. This request 

includes the necessary adjustments to base to maintain current services and a program increase 

for cybersecurity requirements.

I. Mandatory Adjustments to Base

The fiscal year 2019 request includes $21,000 for standard pay and benefits increases for judges. 

II. Discretionary Adjustments to Base

The Court requests an increase of $0.6 million for standard pay and other inflationary 

adjustments.

III. Program Increases

The fiscal year 2019 request includes $0.3 million and one FTE for cybersecurity requirements. 

This is a re-request from fiscal year 2018. The new cybersecurity position would be a 

cybersecurity/information security officer expert to support application and system security and 

to enhance the court’s IT security posture.

IV. Appropriations Language

United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Salaries and Expenses

 

For salaries of officers and employees, and for necessary expenses of the court, as authorized by 

law, [$30,350,000]$31,274,000.
24

In addition, there are appropriated such sums as may be necessary under current law for the 

salaries of the chief judge and judges of the court.

(H.R. 3280 - Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2018, updated to 

reflect the judiciary’s fiscal year 2018 assumed appropriation)

V. Summary of Obligations

 

Category

FY 2017

Actual

FY 2018

Assumed

Obligations/

Appropriation

FY 2019

Request

Requested

Increase/

Decrease

Compensation and Benefits 20,089 21,785 22,273 488

Rent, Communications and Utilities 6,361 6,459 6,589 130

Travel 87 90 92 2

Other 6,987 6,828 6,143 (685)

Total Obligations 33,524 35,162 35,097 (65)

Financing Adjustment (474) (1,815) (805) 1,010

Available Appropriation 33,050 33,347 34,292 945

 Mandatory Appropriation 2,942 2,997 3,018 21

 Discretionary Appropriation 30,108 30,350 31,274 924

United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Comparative Summary of Obligations by Category

($000)
25

United States Court of International Trade

Salaries and Expenses

FTE ($000) FTE ($000) FTE ($000)

FY 2018 Assumed Appropriation 9 2,074 71 18,509 80 20,583

Adjustments to Base - 13 (3) 561 (3) 574

FY 2019 Appropriation Request 9 2,087 68 19,070 77 21,157

FY 2019 Request

Mandatory Discretionary Total

The Court of International Trade requests $21.2 million ($2.1 million for mandatory expenses 

and $19.1 million for discretionary expenses) in fiscal year 2019. 

The $19.1 million request for discretionary appropriations represents a 3.0 percent increase over 

the fiscal year 2018 assumed discretionary appropriation. For this account, the fiscal year 2018 

discretionary appropriations assumption is $18.5 million, which is the midpoint between the 

fiscal year 2017 enacted appropriation and the fiscal year 2018 House mark. This request 

reflects the necessary adjustments to base to maintain current services. The Court requests no 

program increases.

I. Mandatory Adjustments to Base

The fiscal year 2019 request includes $13,000 for standard pay and benefits increases for judges. 

II. Discretionary Adjustments to Base

The fiscal year 2019 request includes a net increase of $0.6 million for discretionary adjustments 

to base. This consists of $0.9 million for standard pay, other inflationary, and other court 

operating expense increases, partially offset by a decrease of $0.4 million associated with 

staffing reductions.

III. Appropriations Language

United States Court of International Trade

Salaries and Expenses

For salaries of officers and employees of the court, services, and necessary expenses of the court, 

as authorized by law, [$18,509,000]$19,070,000.

In addition, there are appropriated such sums as may be necessary under current law for the 

salaries of the chief judge and judges of the court.

(H.R. 3280 - Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2018, updated to 

reflect the judiciary’s fiscal year 2018 assumed appropriation)
26

IV. Summary of Obligations

Category

FY2017

Actual

FY 2018

Assumed

Obligations/

Appropriation

FY 2019

Request

Requested

Increase/

Decrease

Compensation and Benefits 8,697 10,894 10,673 (221)

Rent, Communications and Utilities 1,725 8,114 8,694 580

Travel 93 174 157 (17)

Other 8,966 2,199 1,898 (301)

Total Obligations 19,481 21,381 21,422 41

Financing Adjustment 554 (798) (265) 533

Available Appropriation 20,035 20,583 21,157 574

 Mandatory Appropriation 1,573 2,074 2,087 13

 Discretionary Appropriation 18,462 18,509 19,070 561

United States Court of International Trade

Comparative Summary of Obligations by Category

($000)
27

Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and 

Other Judicial Services

Salaries and Expenses

FTE ($000) FTE ($000) FTE ($000)

FY 2018 Salaries and Expenses Assumed Appropriation 1,774 413,891 26,197 5,019,749 27,971 5,433,640

Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund Assumed Appropriation - - - 8,221 - 8,221

 Total, FY 2018 Assumed Appropriation 1,774 413,891 26,197 5,027,970 27,971 5,441,861

Adjustments to Base 11 5,390 54 89,868 65 95,258

Adjustments to Base - Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund - - - 254 - 254

 Total, Adjustmements to Base 11 5,390 54 90,122 65 95,512

Program Increases - - 16 22,926 16 22,926

 Total, Program Increases - - 16 22,926 16 22,926

FY 2019 Salaries and Expenses Appropriation 1,785 419,281 26,267 5,132,543 28,052 5,551,824

Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund Appropriation - - - 8,475 - 8,475

 Total, FY 2019 Appropriation Request 1,785 419,281 26,267 5,141,018 28,052 5,560,299

FY 2019 Request

Mandatory Discretionary Total

The judiciary requests $5,560.3 million for the Salaries and Expenses account in fiscal year 

2019, including $419.3 million for mandatory expenses; $5,132.5 million for discretionary 

expenses; and $8.5 million from the Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund. For this account, 

the fiscal year 2018 discretionary appropriations assumption is $5,028.0 million which is a 0.5 

percent increase above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level of $5,003.0 million. The fiscal 

year 2019 total discretionary request of $5,141.0 million is a 2.2 percent increase over the fiscal 

year 2018 assumed discretionary appropriation. This request includes the necessary adjustments 

to base to maintain current services and continues progress on several major initiatives started in 

previous fiscal years, including the judiciary’s cybersecurity and space reduction initiatives. 

Additionally, the request includes program increases associated with four new magistrate 

judgeships, information technology costs associated with replacing the Probation and Pretrial 

Automated Case Tracking System (PACTS), and infrastructure costs associated with new 

courthouse construction projects funded by Congress in fiscal year 2016.

This account provides for the operating expenses of the 12 regional circuit courts of appeals, 

district courts, bankruptcy courts, and probation and pretrial services offices. This account 

utilizes other funding sources, including fee collections and prior year carryforward balances, to 

offset appropriated funds. The judiciary currently projects that these sources of non-appropriated 

funds will total $360.7 million in fiscal year 2019, $49.9 million below the fiscal year 2018

estimated level of $410.6 million.

I. Mandatory Adjustments to Base

The fiscal year 2019 request includes $5.4 million for mandatory increases for Article III and 

bankruptcy judges as follows: 
28

1. Pay and benefit cost adjustment for Article III and bankruptcy judges: $2.8 million

An increase of $2.8 million will provide for expected changes in pay and benefits for 

Article III and bankruptcy judges, including the annualization of the January 2018 pay 

adjustment.

2. Increase in the number of senior judges: $0.2 million and 1 FTE

An increase of $0.2 million will provide for one additional senior judge anticipated in 

fiscal year 2019.

3. Increase in average number of filled Article III judgeships: $2.3 million and 10 FTE

An increase of $2.3 million will provide for an additional 10 filled Article III judgeships

anticipated in fiscal year 2019, based on a projected 40 confirmations in fiscal year 2019.

II. Discretionary Adjustments to Base

The fiscal year 2019 request includes a net increase of $90.1 million for discretionary

adjustments to base. This consists of $85.6 million for standard pay, and other inflationary 

increases; a net increase of $1.5 million for space-related adjustments; and $49.9 million to 

replace non-appropriated funds. This is partially offset by a decrease of $36.7 million due to a 

decrease in overall workload and anticipated court spending for salaries and operating expenses; 

a decrease of $4.9 million for non-recurring evidence-based practices requirements in the 

probation and pretrial services program; and a decrease of $5.3 million for ongoing information 

technology requirements.

1. Pay and benefit cost adjustment for magistrate and claims court judges: $1.1 million

An increase of $1.1 million will provide for expected changes in pay and benefits for 

magistrate and claims judges.

2. Increase in the number of senior judges' staff: $0.4 million and 3 FTE

An increase of $0.4 million will provide for an additional three staff FTE to support one 

additional senior judge anticipated in fiscal year 2019.

3. Increase in average number of filled Article III judgeships: $7.3 million and 51 FTE

An increase of $7.3 million will provide for an additional 51 staff FTE to support an 

additional 10 filled Article III judgeships anticipated in fiscal year 2019. 
29

4. Pay and benefit adjustments for court personnel: $62.1 million

An increase of $62.1 million will provide for the annualization of the January 2018 pay 

adjustment, within-grade increases, changes in benefits rates, and one more compensable 

day.

5. Funding necessary to maintain fiscal year 2018 current service levels due to an 

anticipated decline in non-appropriated funds: $49.9 million

In fiscal year 2018, $410.6 million in non-appropriated funds were available to finance 

fiscal year 2018 requirements. In fiscal year 2019, the judiciary expects $360.7 million 

in non-appropriated funds to be available, which is a decrease of $49.9 million from 

fiscal year 2018. Therefore, the judiciary requests $49.9 million in appropriations to 

replace this funding.

6. Decrease to fiscal year 2019 base due to court salary and non-salary requirements:

-$36.7 million

A decrease of $36.7 million is due to a reduction in base requirements to reflect lower 

staffing requirements associated with fiscal year 2019 workload and lower anticipated 

court spending on salaries and operating expenses.

7. Non-pay inflationary and contractual increases: $14.5 million

An increase of $14.5 million is requested for a 1.7 percent general inflationary increase 

and other contractual and miscellaneous increases.

8. Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund: $0.3 million

The fiscal year 2019 level reflects an increase of $0.3 million for standard pay and nonpay inflationary adjustments for the Vaccine Injury program.

9. GSA space rental and related expenses: $1.5 million

The fiscal year 2019 request includes a net increase of $1.5 million for General Services 

Administration (GSA) space rental and related expenses consisting of:

a) adjustments to GSA space rental base costs (+$21.1 million),

b) other space-related adjustments (+$12.2 million),

c) the annualization of new space delivered in fiscal year 2018 (+$2.9 million), and

d) a reduction due to a new GSA pricing policy for return on investment facilities and 

space reduction program savings (-$34.8 million).

10. Evidence-based practices non-recurring requirements: -$4.9 million

A decrease of $4.9 million is associated with non-recurring costs for evidence-based 

practices training and curricula materials. 
30

11. Information technology requirements: -$5.3 million

The fiscal year 2019 request includes a decrease of $5.3 million consisting of a reduction 

of $4.5 million to the Information Technology (IT) program for current operations and 

system maintenance and a reduction of $0.7 million for cost savings associated with IT 

contractor conversions to permanent positions.

III. Program Increases

The fiscal year 2019 request includes $22.9 million for program increases. These increases 

include:

1. New fiscal year 2019 full-time magistrate judge and staff: $4.0 million and 16 FTE

The judiciary requests an additional $4.0 million for four additional magistrate judge 

positions (four FTE), 12 support staff (12 FTE), and associated operating costs for San 

Juan, Puerto Rico; McAllen, Texas; Rapid City, South Dakota; and Atlanta, Georgia.

2. Probation and Pretrial Services Automated Case Tracking Systems replacement: 

$13.4 million

The judiciary requests an increase of $13.4 million to replace the Probation and

Pretrial Services Automated Case Tracking System. 

3. Infrastructure costs for new courthouse construction projects: $5.6 million

 

This request includes an increase of $2.7 million for local area networks and 

communications infrastructure associated with new courthouse construction projects and 

$2.9 million to procure temporary swing space. 

IV. Appropriations Language

Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and Other Judicial Services 

Salaries and Expenses

For the salaries of judges of the United States Court of Federal Claims, magistrate judges, and all 

other officers and employees of the Federal Judiciary not otherwise specifically provided for, 

necessary expenses of the courts, and the purchase, rental, repair, and cleaning of uniforms for 

Probation and Pretrial Services Office staff, as authorized by law, [$5,019,749,000]

$5,132,543,000 (including the purchase of firearms and ammunition); of which not to exceed 

$27,817,000 shall remain available until expended for space alteration projects and for furniture 

and furnishings related to new space alteration and construction projects.

In addition, there are appropriated such sums as may be necessary under current law for the 

salaries of circuit and district judges (including judges of the territorial courts of the United 

States), bankruptcy judges, and justices and judges retired from office or from regular active 

service. 
31

In addition, for expenses of the United States Court of Federal Claims associated with processing 

cases under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-660), not to 

exceed [$8,221,000]$8,475,000, to be appropriated from the Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust 

Fund. 

(H.R. 3280 - Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2018, updated to 

reflect the judiciary’s fiscal year 2018 assumed appropriation)

V. Summary of Obligations

Category

FY 2017

Actual

FY 2018

Assumed

Obligations/

Appropriation

FY 2019

Request

Requested

Increase/

Decrease

Compensation and Benefits 3,550,919 3,718,987 3,767,806 48,819

Rent, Communications and Utilities 1,181,236 1,210,581 1,203,695 (6,886)

Travel 66,302 69,509 70,876 1,367

Other 822,546 854,389 878,635 24,246

Total Obligations 5,621,003 5,853,466 5,921,012 67,546

Financing Adjustment (225,296) (419,826) (369,188) 50,638

Available Appropriation (Direct) 5,395,707 5,433,640 5,551,824 118,184

Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund 6,510 8,221 8,475 254

Total Available Appropriation 5,402,217 5,441,861 5,560,299 118,438

 Mandatory Appropriation 399,262 413,891 419,281 5,390

 Discretionary Appropriation - Salaries and 

 Expenses Direct 4,996,445 5,019,749 5,132,543 112,794

 Discretionary Appropriation - Vaccine Injury

 Compensation Trust Fund 6,510 8,221 8,475 254

Courts of Appeals, District Courts and Other Judicial Services

Salaries and Expenses

Comparative Summary of Obligations by Category

($000)
32

VI. Budget Request by Category

Judges & Chambers Staff 

Salaries & Expenses

22%

Court Support Personnel 

Benefits

16%

Rent

18%

Court Support Personnel 

Salaries

25%

Information Technology

8%

Operations and 

Maintenance

11%

FY 2019 Budget Request

Salaries and Expenses Account

(Obligations)
33

VII. Court Support Staffing

22,136

On-board 

21,524 

On-board 

20,659

On-board 

19,418

On-board 

19,101

On-board 

 17,000

 17,500

 18,000

 18,500

 19,000

 19,500

 20,000

 20,500

 21,000

 21,500

 22,000

 22,500

 23,000

 23,500

7/31/2011 9/30/2011 9/30/2012 9/30/2013 9/30/2014 9/30/2015 9/30/2016 9/30/2017 1/7/2018 9/30/2018 9/30/2019

Court Support Staffing 

FY 2011 - FY 2019

On-Board FTE

19,267

On-board

19,308

Estimated

19,232 

On-board

19,283

On-board

19,185 

On-board

19,300

Plan
34

VIII. Judiciary Workload Factors

Criminal Filings 73,455 69,642 64,027 60,866 61,021 58,121 60,500

Year-to-Year Change: -6.7% -5.2% -8.1% -4.9% 0.3% -4.8% 4.1%

Criminal Defendants Filed 96,915 91,812 84,017 79,154 79,968 75,235 77,200

Year-to-Year Change: -5.5% -5.3% -8.5% -5.8% 1.0% -5.9% 2.6%

Probation: Persons Under Supervision 132,785 132,362 132,597 133,428 137,882 135,947 134,300

Year-to-Year Change: 2.7% -0.3% 0.2% 0.6% 3.3% -1.4% -1.2%

Pretrial Services: Cases Activated 105,852 102,457 98,122 90,588 88,140 82,265 81,900

Year-to-Year Change: -1.3% -3.2% -4.2% -7.7% -2.7% -6.7% -0.4%

Bankruptcy Filings 1,311,602 1,137,978 1,000,083 879,736 819,159 796,037 793,700

Year-to-Year Change: -14.2% -13.2% -12.1% -12.0% -6.9% -2.8% -0.3%

Appellate Filings 57,699 56,360 55,260 53,032 60,099 52,028 49,600

Year-to-Year Change: 4.2% -2.3% -2.0% -4.0% 13.3% -13.4% -4.7%

Civil Filings 286,232 283,087 298,713 280,037 290,430 271,721 266,500

Year-to-Year Change: -1.2% -1.1% 5.5% -6.3% 3.7% -6.4% -1.9%

12 months 

ending June 30, 

2018 Projected

WORKLOAD FACTOR

12 months 

ending June 30, 

2015 Actual

12 months 

ending June 30, 

2012 Actual

12 months 

ending June 30, 

2013 Actual

12 months 

ending June 30, 

2014 Actual

12 months 

ending June 30, 

2016 Actual

12 months 

ending June 30, 

2017 Actual

IX. Other Sources of Funding for the Judiciary

Explanation of Other Funding Sources

In addition to appropriated funds, each year the judiciary uses other non-appropriated funds to 

offset its appropriation requirements. Fee collections, primarily from court filing fees, comprise 

the majority of these sources of funds. These funds are used to offset expenses within the 

Salaries and Expenses account.

“Unencumbered” Funds

In addition to fee collections, in certain instances the judiciary may carryforward funds from one 

year to the next. These carryforward funds are considered “unencumbered” when they are 

generated by savings in the financial plan in base areas or where budgeted costs did not 

materialize, such as variations in Article III judge confirmations or space delivery dates. These 

savings are usually unforeseen and uncontrollable by the judiciary.

Recognizing that savings in the financial plan tend to occur each year, but at unpredictable 

levels, the judiciary has tried to estimate the level of unencumbered funds that will be available 

to offset fiscal year 2019 requirements. As the table below indicates, the judiciary has estimated 

that unencumbered funds will total $360.7 million in fiscal year 2019, including $210.7 million 

in fee collections and $150.0 million in other unencumbered carryforward. This level of 

unencumbered funds represents a decrease of $49.9 million from the $410.6 million estimated in 

fiscal year 2018 to help finance court operations. The judiciary requests $49.9 million to replace 

these non-appropriated funds in order to maintain current services in fiscal year 2019. 

The judiciary’s estimates for non-appropriated funds typically fluctuate during the fiscal year. 

Administrative Office staff will update the Appropriations Subcommittee staffs on changes in 

non-appropriated funding levels during fiscal year 2018.
35

Sources of Non-Appropriated Unencumbered Funds

in Salaries and Expenses

($000)

Fee Collections 214,517 210,713 (3,804)

Other Carryforward 196,113 150,000 (46,113)

Total, Non-Appropriated 

Sources of Funding, 

Excluding Slippage

410,630 360,713 (49,917)

Dollars in Thousands FY 2018 

Estimated

FY 2019 

Request Difference

“Encumbered” Funds

Carryforward funds are considered “encumbered” when both the funds and the associated need 

for the funds shift to the next year. The judiciary has no-year authority for specific purposes for 

multi-year IT investments and new space-related requirements. In some cases, as was described 

above, this authority is used to carry forward savings where planned expenses did not occur. 

This authority is also used when planned expenses are delayed, or slipped, from one year to the 

next. In fiscal year 2018, $149.0 million was slipped from fiscal year 2017. 

“Encumbered” funds, while adding to the judiciary’s projected obligations in a given fiscal year, 

do not impact the judiciary’s appropriation requirements. Even if the total amount fluctuates 

from year to year, the funds associated with the specific project are brought forward from the 

prior year to fund the project, resulting in no additional appropriation requirements.
36

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37

Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and

Other Judicial Services

Defender Services

FTE ($000)

FY 2018 Assumed Appropriation 2,991 1,077,511

Adjustments to Base - 58,675

Program Increases 28 5,303

FY 2019 Appropriation Request 3,019 1,141,489

FY 2019 Request

Discretionary

The judiciary requests $1,141.5 million for Defender Services in fiscal year 2019, a 5.9 percent 

increase over the fiscal year 2018 assumed discretionary appropriation. For this account, the

fiscal year 2018 appropriations assumption is $1,077.5 million, which is the midpoint between 

the fiscal year 2017 enacted appropriation and the fiscal year 2018 House mark. This request 

reflects the necessary adjustments to base to maintain current services, as well as program 

increases for new training positions, a $6 per hour increase above inflation to the non-capital 

panel attorney hourly rate, and continued implementation of the federal defender office (FDO)

staffing formula.

This funding supports the provision of constitutionally-mandated legal representation and other 

services to persons financially unable to obtain counsel in criminal and related matters in federal 

court. The Criminal Justice Act provides that courts shall appoint counsel from federal public 

and community defender organizations or from a panel of private attorneys established by the 

court.

I. Discretionary Adjustments to Base

An increase of $58.7 million is requested for adjustments to base for pay and inflationary 

increases as well as for adjustments that will allow the judiciary to meet its constitutional 

obligation to provide defense counsel to all eligible persons in fiscal year 2019. These increases 

include:

1. Pay and benefit adjustments, federal defender organizations, and program 

administration: $13.9 million

An increase of $13.9 million will provide for the annualization of the January 2018 pay 

adjustment, within-grade increases, changes in benefits rates, and one more compensable 

day.
38

2. Other inflationary increases: $3.2 million

An increase of $3.2 million is required for inflationary adjustments for non-pay 

categories, including space rental costs.

3. Change in projected panel attorney workload: $8.2 million

The requested increase represents the costs associated with a change in panel attorney 

caseload. Panel attorney representations are projected to increase from 68,700 in fiscal 

year 2018, to 71,200 in fiscal year 2019, an increase of 2,500 representations.

4. Increase in appropriations needed to fund current services: $33.4 million

In fiscal year 2018, $63.4 million in balances from fiscal year 2017 were available to 

finance fiscal year 2018 requirements. In fiscal year 2019, the judiciary expects $30.0

million in non-appropriated funds to be available, a decrease of $33.4 million from fiscal 

year 2018. Therefore, the judiciary requests $33.4 million in appropriations to replace 

this funding.

II. Program Increases

The fiscal year 2019 request includes $5.3 million for program increases. These increases 

include:

1. Non-capital panel attorney hourly rate increase: $1.9 million

The requested funding supports a $6 hourly rate increase above the cost-of-living 

adjustment (COLA), from $134 to $140 per hour, for non-capital panel attorney cases in 

fiscal year 2019 (the maximum rate authorized in statute is $147 per hour). The current 

non-capital panel attorney rate is $132 per hour. For fiscal year 2018, the judiciary 

assumed a $2 COLA, which would raise the non-capital rate to $134 per hour, and 

assumes no COLA in fiscal year 2019. The $6 above-COLA rate increase is needed to 

ensure that courts retain and recruit qualified and experienced criminal defense 

practitioners for their CJA panels. The annualization of the $6 increase is $14.9 million 

in fiscal year 2020.

2. Net change in projected workload: $3.3 million and 28 FTE

The fiscal year 2019 request includes a net increase of $3.3 million and 28 FTE. The 

request includes $6.8 million for 70 additional FDO staff (56 FPDO positions/28 FTE 

and 14 CDO positions) for the continued implementation of the FDO staffing formula. 

The additional staff would increase authorized staffing levels to 98 percent of formula 

requirements. 
39

In addition, the request includes a decrease of $3.5 million associated with a change in 

projected panel attorney payment requirements as newly hired FDO staff assume some of 

the capital work previously handled by panel attorneys.

3. Training positions: $0.2 million

The requested increase provides for three reimbursable positions (two FTE) consisting of 

an attorney advisor and two other professional staff to support training programs for 

federal defender staff and panel attorneys, so that they can better represent their clients.

III. Appropriations Language

Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and Other Judicial Services 

Defender Services

For the operation of Federal Defender organizations; the compensation and reimbursement of 

expenses of attorneys appointed to represent persons under 18 U.S.C. 3006A and 3599, and for 

the compensation and reimbursement of expenses of persons furnishing investigative, expert, and 

other services for such representations as authorized by law; the compensation (in accordance 

with the maximums under 18 U.S.C. 3006A) and reimbursement of expenses of attorneys 

appointed to assist the court in criminal cases where the defendant has waived representation by 

counsel; the compensation and reimbursement of expenses of attorneys appointed to represent 

jurors in civil actions for the protection of their employment, as authorized by 28 U.S.C. 

1875(d)(1); the compensation and reimbursement of expenses of attorneys appointed under 18 

U.S.C. 983(b)(1) in connection with certain judicial civil forfeiture proceedings; the 

compensation and reimbursement of travel expenses of guardians ad litem appointed under 18 

U.S.C. 4100(b); and for necessary training and general administrative expenses, 

[$1,077,511,000]$1,141,489,000, to remain available until expended.

(H.R. 3280 - Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2018, updated to 

reflect the judiciary’s fiscal year 2018 assumed appropriation)

IV. Summary of Obligations

Category

FY 2017

Actual

FY 2018

Assumed

Obligations/

Appropriation

FY 2019

Request

Requested

Increase/

Decrease

Compensation and Benefits 423,589 457,378 464,700 7,322

Rent, Communications and Utilities 47,196 49,805 51,450 1,645

Travel 11,853 12,900 13,600 700

Contractual Services (includes panel attorney payments) 408,042 435,800 450,206 14,406

Other (includes grants to Community Defender Organizations) 169,429 184,978 191,533 6,555

Total Obligations 1,060,109 1,140,861 1,171,489 30,628

Financing Adjustment (15,462) (63,350) (30,000) 33,350

Available Appropriation 1,044,647 1,077,511 1,141,489 63,978

Courts of Appeals, District Courts and Other Judicial Services

Comparative Summary of Obligations by Category

($000)

Defender Services
40

V. Budget Request by Category

Federal Defender 

Organizations

65%

Panel Attorneys

34%

Program 

Administration

1%

FY 2019 Budget Request

Defender Services Account

(Obligations)
41

Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and 

Other Judicial Services

Fees of Jurors and Commissioners

FTE ($000)

FY 2018 Assumed Appropriation - 45,829

Adjustments to Base - 334

Program Increases - 5,070

FY 2019 Appropriation Request - 51,233

FY 2019 Request

Discretionary

The judiciary requests $51.2 million for Fees of Jurors and Commissioners in fiscal year 2019, 

an 11.8 percent increase over the fiscal year 2018 assumed discretionary appropriation. For this 

account, the fiscal year 2018 appropriations assumption is $45.8 million, which is the fiscal year 

2018 Senate mark. This request reflects the necessary adjustments to base to maintain current

services as well as an increase to the daily juror attendance fee.

Costs associated with this account may be unpredictable and are driven by the number of jury 

trials, the length of those trials, and statutory rates for reimbursement paid to jurors.

I. Discretionary Adjustments to Base

The fiscal year 2019 request includes a net increase of $0.3 million in adjustments to base

associated with inflationary adjustments, projected changes in juror days, and an anticipated 

decrease in available non-appropriated funds. This will allow the account to continue to pay for 

the statutory fees and expenses of grand and petit jurors and compensation of land 

commissioners in fiscal year 2019. These adjustments include:

1. Inflationary adjustments: $0.5 million

In addition to attendance fees, jurors also are reimbursed for certain expenses, including 

meals and lodging for sequestered jurors and transportation of juries to view evidence or 

crime scenes. Inflationary increases associated with these expenses are expected to total 

$0.2 million for grand jurors and $0.3 million for petit jurors in fiscal year 2019.

2. Projected change in juror days: -$0.5 million

Overall expenses for grand and petit jurors are expected to decrease by $0.5 million in 

fiscal year 2019 based on the projected number of available grand and petit jurors.
42

3. Increase in appropriations needed to fund current services: $0.4 million

The fiscal year 2018 interim financial plan for this account was financed in part by $1.4 

million in carryforward balances from fiscal year 2017 and prior years. The judiciary has 

estimated that only $1.0 million in carryforward balances from fiscal year 2018 will be 

available to finance fiscal year 2019 requirements, a decrease of $0.4 million. Therefore, 

the fiscal year 2019 request includes $0.4 million in appropriated funds to replace this 

funding.

II. Program Increases

Increase to the daily juror attendance fee from $40 to $50: $5.1 million

An increase of $5.1 million is requested to increase the daily juror attendance fee by $10 

(from $40 to $50) for grand and petit jurors, effective January 2019, to compensate jurors 

more adequately for their service. Although inflation and the cost of living have 

increased each year, the juror fee has not been increased since December 1990. 

III. Appropriations Language

Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and Other Judicial Services 

Fees of Jurors and Commissioners

For fees and expenses of jurors as authorized by 28 U.S.C. 1871 and 1876; compensation of jury 

commissioners as authorized by 28 U.S.C. 1863; and compensation of commissioners appointed 

in condemnation cases pursuant to rule 71.1(h) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 

U.S.C. Appendix Rule 71.1(h)), [$45,829,000]$51,233,000, to remain available until expended: 

Provided, That the compensation of land commissioners shall not exceed the daily equivalent of 

the highest rate payable under 5 U.S.C. 5332.

(H.R. 3280 - Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2018, updated to 

reflect the judiciary’s fiscal year 2018 assumed appropriation)
43

IV. Summary of Obligations

Category

FY 2017

Actual

FY 2018

Assumed

Obligations/

Appropriation

FY 2019

Request

Requested

Increase/

Decrease

Compensation and Benefits 20,284 21,003 25,874 4,871

Rent, Communications and Utilities 1,882 1,731 1,535 (196)

Travel 21,863 21,329 22,721 1,392

Other 2,068 2,766 2,103 (663)

Total Obligations 46,097 46,829 52,233 5,404

Financing Adjustment (6,168) (1,000) (1,000) -

Available Appropriation 39,929 45,829 51,233 5,404

Courts of Appeals, District Courts and Other Judicial Services

Comparative Summary of Obligations by Category

($000)

Fees of Jurors and Commissioners

V. Budget Request by Category

Petit Jurors

67.6%

Grand Jurors

32.2%

Land 

Commissioners

0.2%

FY 2019 Budget Request

Fees of Jurors and Commissioners Account

(Obligations)
44

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45

Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and 

Other Judicial Services

Court Security

FTE ($000)

FY 2018 Assumed Appropriation 569,990 73 

Adjustments to Base 2 17,995 

Program Increases - 14,324 

FY 2019 Appropriation Request 602,309 75 

Discretionary

FY 2019 Request

The judiciary requests $602.3 million for Court Security in fiscal year 2019, a 5.7 percent 

increase over the fiscal year 2018 assumed discretionary appropriation. For this account, the 

fiscal year 2018 appropriations assumption is $570.0 million, which is the midpoint between the 

fiscal year 2017 enacted appropriation and the fiscal year 2018 House mark. This request 

reflects the necessary adjustments to base to maintain current services. The request includes 

program increases for the implementation of a new physical access control systems (PACS) 

replacement strategy, security infrastructure for new courthouses, and the phased implementation 

of the revised court security officer (CSO) staffing standards. 

The majority of the funding in this account is transferred to the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), 

which is responsible for administering the Judicial Facility Security Program. 

I. Discretionary Adjustments to Base

The Court Security account requests a net $18.0 million for adjustments to base for pay and 

benefits, inflationary increases, and other adjustments to maintain current services in fiscal year 

2019. These adjustments include: 

1. Pay and benefits increases: $1.9 million

The increase accounts for the annualization of the January 2018 pay adjustment, withingrade increases, changes in benefits rates, and one more compensable day.

2. Annualization of new fiscal year 2018 USMS positions: $0.3 million and 2 FTE

Funding is required to annualize costs for five new positions (3 FTE) expected to be

added in fiscal year 2018 at the USMS to support the PACS program, which is a critical

component of the PACS replacement strategy.
46 

3. Fiscal year 2019 CSO contract and wage rate adjustments: $6.6 million 

This increase provides for an average 3.0 percent wage adjustment for contract court 

security officers, as established by the U.S. Department of Labor and based on collective 

bargaining agreements. 

4. Non-pay inflationary increase: $0.2 million 

An increase of $0.2 million is requested for a 1.7 percent general inflationary increase for 

travel, supplies, equipment, and other contractual services (exclusive of CSO contracts). 

5. GSA space rental decrease: -$0.5 million 

The judiciary-funded USMS personnel moved to a new facility with less space, lowering 

projected GSA space rental costs by $0.5 million. 

6. Changes in Federal Protective Service security charges: $1.6 million 

The requested increase of $1.6 million will fund basic and building-specific security 

expenses based on anticipated billings from the Department of Homeland Security 

Federal Protective Service (FPS). The total request for FPS charges is $85.8 million in 

fiscal year 2019, which is a 1.9 percent increase over the $84.2 million projected for 

fiscal year 2018. 

($000) FY 2018 FY 2019 Difference

Basic 32,967 33,000 33 

Building-Specific 51,246 52,813 1,567 

Total FPS 84,213 85,813 1,600 

7. Adjustments to base for security systems and equipment: net $8.0 million 

The requested amount reflects a net increase of $8.0 million in the court security systems 

and equipment acquisition plan (excluding proposed program increases). The net 

increase of $8.0 million consists of: (1) a decrease of $7.0 million for non-recurring 

requirements associated with new courthouse construction projects in fiscal year 2018; 

(2) a decrease of $3.6 million for maintenance contracts for existing security systems; and 

(3) an increase of $18.6 million in adjustments to base requirements for perimeter 

security improvements; additional and replacement equipment; cyclical replacement of xray screening equipment and walk-through metal detectors; CSO radios, accessories, 

repairs, and over-the-air re-key; and miscellaneous systems and equipment. 

II. Program Increases 

The fiscal year 2019 request includes $14.3 million for program increases. These increases 

include: 
47

1. Physical access control systems replacement strategy: $5.5 million

The fiscal year 2019 request includes an additional $5.5 million to implement the PACS 

replacement strategy, for a total of $27.0 million to replace PACS at significant risk of 

failure. The judiciary’s strategy is to seek increases in PACS funding by approximately 

$5 million each year from fiscal year 2019 to fiscal year 2022 to replace old and failing 

building access systems at court facilities nationwide.

2. Infrastructure for new courthouses: $6.9 million

The fiscal year 2019 request includes $6.3 million for new security systems and $0.6 

million for screening equipment at the new courthouses planned for Toledo, Ohio; 

Anniston, Alabama; San Antonio, Texas; and Greenville, Mississippi. 

3. Phased implementation of the new CSO staffing standards: $2.0 million

The fiscal year 2019 request includes $2.0 million for an additional 35 CSO positions. 

With this request, the phased implementation of the new staffing standards will be 50 

percent complete.

III. Appropriations Language

Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and Other Judicial Services 

Court Security

(Including Transfers of Funds)

For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, incident to the provision of protective guard 

services for United States courthouses and other facilities housing Federal court operations, and 

the procurement, installation, and maintenance of security systems and equipment for United 

States courthouses and other facilities housing Federal court operations, including building 

ingress-egress control, inspection of mail and packages, directed security patrols, perimeter 

security, basic security services provided by the Federal Protective Service, and other similar 

activities as authorized by section 1010 of the Judicial Improvement and Access to Justice Act 

(Public Law 100-702), [$569,990,000]$602,309,000, of which not to exceed $20,000,000 shall 

remain available until expended, to be expended directly or transferred to the United States 

Marshals Service, which shall be responsible for administering the Judicial Facility Security 

Program consistent with standards or guidelines agreed to by the Director of the Administrative 

Office of the United States Courts and the Attorney General.

(H.R. 3280 - Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2018, updated to 

reflect the judiciary’s fiscal year 2018 assumed appropriation)
48

IV. Summary of Obligations

Category

FY 2017

Actual

FY 2018

Assumed

Obligations/

Appropriation

FY 2019

Request

Requested

Increase/

Decrease

Compensation and Benefits 8,950 10,842 11,305 463

Rent, Communications and Utilities 7,155 8,023 7,569 (454)

Travel 1,628 425 425 -

Court Security Officers Contract 384,542 406,456 416,434 9,978

Federal Protective Service Charges 79,065 84,213 85,813 1,600

Other 83,412 70,216 90,763 20,547

Total Obligations 564,752 580,175 612,309 32,134

Financing Adjustment 636 (10,185) (10,000) 185

Available Appropriation 565,388 569,990 602,309 32,319

Courts of Appeals, District Courts and Other Judicial Services

Comparative Summary of Obligations by Category

($000)

Court Security

V. Summary of Requirements and Financing

Security 

Systems/Equip.

FPS 

Provided 

Security

CSOs ($000) ($000) ($000) FTE ($000) FTE ($000)

FY 2018 Assumed Financial Obligations 4,376 406,456 65,382 84,213 73 31,262 73 587,313

Less: Encumbered Carryforward from FY 2017 - - (6,219) - - (919) - (7,138)

FY 2018 Assumed Financial Obligations less 

Encumbered Carryforward 4,376 406,456 59,163 84,213 73 30,343 73 580,175

Less: Judiciary Information Technology Fund (JITF) - - - - - (185) - (185)

Less: Unencumbered Carryforward from FY 2017 - - (10,000) - - - - (10,000)

Total FY 2018 Assumed Appropriation 4,376 406,456 49,163 84,213 73 30,158 73 569,990

FY 2019 Appropriations Increases/Decreases 35 9,978 20,383 1,600 2 358 2 32,319

Total FY 2019 Request 4,411 416,434 69,546 85,813 75 30,516 75 602,309

Court Security - Summary of Requirements and Financing

Court Security Officers 

(CSOs) Program Administration Total
49

VI. Budget Request by Category

Court Security 

Officer Contract 

Costs

68%

Security Systems 

and Equipment

13%

Federal Protective 

Service Charges

14%

Program 

Administration

5%

FY 2019 Budget Request

Court Security Account

(Obligations)
50

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51

 Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts 

Salaries and Expenses

FTE ($000)

FY 2018 Assumed Appropriation 621 87,920

Adjustments to Base - 1,947

FY 2019 Appropriation Request 621 89,867

Discretionary

FY 2019 Request

The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO) requests $89.9 million in fiscal year 2019, a 

2.2 percent increase over the fiscal year 2018 assumed discretionary appropriation. For this 

account, the fiscal year 2018 appropriations assumption is $87.9 million, which is the fiscal year 

2018 House mark. This request reflects the necessary adjustments to base to maintain current 

services. The AO requests no program increases.

In addition to the appropriation provided by Congress, the AO receives non-appropriated funds 

from sources such as fee collections and carryover balances to offset its appropriation 

requirements. The AO also receives reimbursements from other judiciary accounts for 

information technology development and services that are in direct support of the courts, the 

court security program, and defender services. 

I. Discretionary Adjustments to Base

The AO requests $1.9 million in adjustments to base in fiscal year 2019 for standard pay, benefit,

and other inflationary adjustments.

II. Appropriations Language

Administrative Office of the United States Courts

Salaries and Expenses

For necessary expenses of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts as authorized by 

law, including travel as authorized by 31 U.S.C. 1345, hire of a passenger motor vehicle as 

authorized by 31 U.S.C. 1343(b), advertising and rent in the District of Columbia and elsewhere, 

[$87,920,000]$89,867,000, of which not to exceed $8,500 is authorized for official reception and 

representation expenses.

(H.R. 3280 - Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2018, updated to 

reflect the judiciary’s fiscal year 2018 assumed appropriation)
52

III. Summary of Obligations

Category

FY 2017

Actual

FY 2018

Assumed

Obligations/

Appropriation

FY 2019

Request

Requested

Increase/

Decrease

Compensation and Benefits 170,055 191,766 194,716 2,950

Rent, Communications and Utilities 626 582 594 12

Travel 1,721 1,478 1,532 54

Other 15,111 10,345 7,540 (2,805)

Total Obligations 187,513 204,171 204,382 211

Financing Adjustment (21,742) (23,999) (19,579) 4,420

Reimbursable Program (78,271) (92,252) (94,936) (2,684)

Available Appropriation 87,500 87,920 89,867 1,947

Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts

Comparative Summary of Obligations by Category

($000)
53

Federal Judicial Center

Salaries and Expenses

FTE ($000)

FY 2018 Assumed Appropriation 128 28,522

Adjustments to Base - 542

FY 2019 Appropriation Request 128 29,064

FY 2019 Request

Discretionary

The Federal Judicial Center (FJC) requests $29.1 million in fiscal year 2019, a 1.9 percent 

increase over the fiscal year 2018 assumed discretionary appropriation. For this account, the 

fiscal year 2018 appropriations assumption is $28.5 million, which is the midpoint between the 

fiscal year 2017 enacted appropriation and the fiscal year 2018 House mark. This request 

reflects the necessary adjustments to base to maintain current services. The FJC requests no 

program increases.

The FJC, which is the research and education arm of the Third Branch, provides judges and other 

judiciary personnel with education and training on legal developments and efficient litigation 

management and court administration. As such, its workload is derived in large part by the 

population of the courts. 

I. Discretionary Adjustments to Base

The Federal Judicial Center requests $0.5 million in adjustments to base for increases to standard 

pay, benefit, and other inflationary adjustments. 

II. Appropriations Language

Federal Judicial Center

Salaries and Expenses

For necessary expenses of the Federal Judicial Center, as authorized by Public Law 90-219, 

[$28,522,000]$29,064,000; of which $1,800,000 shall remain available until September 30, 

[2019]2020, to provide education and training to Federal court personnel; and of which not to 

exceed $1,500 is authorized for official reception and representation expenses.

(H.R. 3280 - Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2018, updated to 

reflect the judiciary’s fiscal year 2018 assumed appropriation)
54

III. Summary of Obligations

Category

FY 2017

Actual

FY 2018

Assumed

Obligations/

Appropriation

FY 2019

Request

Requested

Increase/

Decrease

Compensation and Benefits 19,690 20,271 20,669 398

Rent, Communications and Utilities 379 569 558 (11)

Travel 5,357 5,875 5,916 41

Other 3,643 2,699 2,411 (288)

Total Obligations 29,069 29,414 29,554 140

Financing Adjustment (734) (892) (490) 402

Available Appropriation 28,335 28,522 29,064 542

Federal Judicial Center

Comparative Summary of Obligations by Category

($000)
55

United States Sentencing Commission

Salaries and Expenses

FTE ($000)

FY 2018 Assumed Appropriation 95 18,219

Adjustments to Base - 329

FY 2019 Appropriation Request 95 18,548

FY 2019 Request

Discretionary

The United States Sentencing Commission (the Commission) requests $18.5 million in fiscal 

year 2019, a 1.8 percent increase over the fiscal year 2018 assumed discretionary appropriation. 

For this account, the fiscal year 2018 appropriations assumption is $18.2 million, which is the 

midpoint between the fiscal year 2017 enacted appropriation and the fiscal year 2018 House 

mark. This request reflects the necessary adjustments to base to maintain current services. The 

Commission requests no program increases.

The Commission’s duties are to review and revise the sentencing guidelines regularly, collect 

data from federal sentencing courts, analyze these data to provide meaningful information on 

federal sentencing practices, and provide extensive training to guideline users.

I. Discretionary Adjustments to Base

The Commission requests $0.3 million in adjustments to base in fiscal year 2019. This includes 

$0.3 million for standard pay, benefit, and other inflationary adjustments. 

II. Appropriations Language

United States Sentencing Commission

Salaries and Expenses

For the salaries and expenses necessary to carry out the provisions of chapter 58 of title 28, 

United States Code, [$18,219,000]$18,548,000, of which not to exceed $1,000 is authorized for 

official reception and representation expenses.

(H.R. 3280 - Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2018, updated to 

reflect the judiciary’s fiscal year 2018 assumed appropriation)
56

III. Summary of Obligations

Category

FY 2017

Actual

FY 2018

Assumed

Obligations/

Appropriation

FY 2019

Request

Requested

Increase/

Decrease

Compensation and Benefits 13,081 13,700 13,995 295

Rent, Communications and Utilities 27 27 30 3

Travel 461 458 565 107

Other 4,306 5,533 3,958 (1,575)

Total Obligations 17,875 19,718 18,548 (1,170)

Financing Adjustment - (1,499) - 1,499

Available Appropriation 17,875 18,219 18,548 329

United States Sentencing Commission

Comparative Summary of Obligations by Category

($000)
57

Title III Administrative Provisions – The Judiciary

Note: In the absence of enacted fiscal year 2018 full year appropriations, the judiciary built 

its fiscal year 2019 language requests using the House Appropriations Committee-passed 

version of the fiscal year 2018 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) bill. 

Therefore, the bracketed and italicized changes reflected below are being made to fiscal 

year 2018 language as it appears in H.R. 3280.

SEC. 301. Appropriations and authorizations made in this title which are available for 

salaries and expenses shall be available for services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109.

SEC. 302. Not to exceed 5 percent of any appropriation made available for the current 

fiscal year for the Judiciary in this Act may be transferred between such appropriations, but no 

such appropriation, except ‘‘Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and Other Judicial Services, 

Defender Services’’ and ‘‘Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and Other Judicial Services, Fees 

of Jurors and Commissioners’’, shall be increased by more than 10 percent by any such transfers: 

Provided, That any transfer pursuant to this section shall be treated as a reprogramming of funds 

under sections 604 and 608 of this Act and shall not be available for obligation or expenditure 

except in compliance with the procedures set forth in section 608.

SEC. 303. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the salaries and expenses 

appropriation for ‘‘Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and Other Judicial Services’’ shall be 

available for official reception and representation expenses of the Judicial Conference of the 

United States: Provided, That such available funds shall not exceed $11,000 and shall be 

administered by the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts in the 

capacity as Secretary of the Judicial Conference.

SEC. 304. Section 3315(a) of title 40, United States Code, shall be applied by substituting 

‘‘Federal’’ for ‘‘executive’’ each place it appears.

SEC. 305. In accordance with 28 U.S.C. 561–569, and notwithstanding any other 

provision of law, the United States Marshals Service shall provide, for such courthouses as its 

Director may designate in consultation with the Director of the Administrative Office of the 

United States Courts, for purposes of a pilot program, the security services that 40 U.S.C. 1315 

authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to provide, except for the services specified in 

40 U.S.C. 1315(b)(2)(E). For building-specific security services at these courthouses, the 

Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall reimburse the United 

States Marshals Service rather than the Department of Homeland Security.

SEC. 306. (a) Section 203(c) of the Judicial Improvements Act of 1990 (Public Law 101–

650; 28 U.S.C. 133 note), is amended in the second sentence (relating to the District of Kansas) 

following paragraph (12), by striking ‘‘[26]27 years and 6 months’’ and inserting ‘‘[27]28 years 

and 6 months’’.

(b) Section 406 of the Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the 

Judiciary, the District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 (Public 

Law 109–115; 119 Stat. 2470; 28 U.S.C. 133 note) is amended in the second sentence (relating 
58

to the eastern District of Missouri) by striking ‘‘[24]25 years and 6 months’’ and inserting 

‘‘[25]26 years and 6 months’’.

(c) Section 312(c)(2) of the 21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations 

Authorization Act (Public Law 107–273; 28 U.S.C. 133 note), is amended—

[(1) in the first sentence by inserting after “except in the case of” the following: 

“the northern district of Alabama,”;

(2) in the first sentence by inserting after “the central district of California” the 

following: “,”;]

([3]1) in the first sentence by striking ‘‘[15]16 years’’ and inserting ‘‘[16]17

years’’;

[(4) by adding at the end of the first sentence the following: “The first vacancy in 

the office of district judge in the district of Alabama occurring 15 years or more after the 

confirmation of the judge named to fill the temporary district judgeship created in that 

district by this subsection, shall not be filled.”;]

([5]2) in the third sentence (relating to the central District of California), by 

striking ‘‘[14]15 years and 6 months’’ and inserting ‘‘[15]16 years and 6 months’’; and

([6]3) in the fourth sentence (relating to the western district of North Carolina), by 

striking ‘‘[13]14 years’’ and inserting ‘‘[14]15 years’’.

[Sec. 307. (a) Section 2(a)(2)(C)(i) of the Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeships Extension 

Act of 2012 (28 U.S.C. 152 note; Public Law 112-121 as amended) is amended by striking ‘‘6 

years’’ and inserting ‘‘7 years’’.

b) Section 2(a)(2)(D)(i) of the Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeships Extension Act of 2012 

(28 U.S.C. 152 note; Public Law 112–121 as amended) is amended by striking ‘‘6 years’’ and 

inserting ‘‘7 years’’.

(c) Section 2(a)(2)(F)(i) of the Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeships Extension Act of 2012 

(28 U.S.C. 152 note; Public Law 112–121 as amended) is amended by striking ‘‘6 years’’ and 

inserting ‘‘7 years’’.

(d) Section 2(a)(2)(G)(i) of the Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeships Extension Act of 2012 

(28 U.S.C. 152 note; Public Law 112–121 as amended) is amended by striking ‘‘6 years’’ and 

inserting ‘‘7 years’’.

(e) Section 2(a)(2)(H)(i) of the Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeships Extension Act of 2012 

(28 U.S.C. 152 note; Public Law 112–121 as amended) is amended by striking ‘‘6 years’’ and 

inserting ‘‘7 years’’.]

SEC. 307. (a) Section 1871(b) of title 28, United States Code, is amended in paragraph 

(1) by striking “$40” and inserting “$50”. (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made in

subsection (a) shall take effect 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

This title may be cited as the ‘‘Judiciary Appropriations Act, [2018]2019’’.

Explanation of Changes

Revised Section 306: This language extends for 12 months the authorizations of eight temporary 

district judgeships that are assumed to be extended in fiscal year 2018 and whose authorizations 

will then expire on a rolling basis between April and September of fiscal year 2019. The 
59

language assumes the extension of only those temporary district judgeships reflected in the most 

recent judgeship recommendations of the Judicial Conference.

Deleted Section 307: This language is proposed for deletion because these judgeships were 

extended for five years by the enactment of the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for 

Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 (P.L. 115-72).

New Section 307: This proposed new section increases the daily juror attendance fee by $10 

(from $40 to $50) to compensate jurors more adequately for their services. Although inflation 

and the cost of living have increased each year, the juror fee has not been increased since 

December 1990. If inflationary increases had been applied since 1990, the daily rate would be 

$74 in 2017, $34 above the current rate of $40. A higher attendance fee that more closely tracks 

to inflation will help to offset some of the financial burden imposed by jury service, particularly 

on the approximately 40 percent of private sector workers who receive no pay from their 

employers while on jury duty. In addition, social science data suggest that higher juror 

compensation produces fewer jurors seeking and receiving excuses from service, which in turn 

increases the efficiency of juror utilization and results in the empanelment of more representative 

juries.
60

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61

Judicial Retirement Funds

Payment to Judiciary Trust Funds

FTE ($000)

FY 2018 Assumed Appropriation - 195,000

Adjustments to Base - 16,700

FY 2019 Appropriation Request - 211,700

FY 2019 Request

Mandatory

The judiciary requests $211.7 million for the Judicial Retirement Funds in fiscal year 2019, an

8.6 percent increase over the fiscal year 2018 assumed appropriation. 

The Payment to the Judiciary Trust Funds is a mandatory account and is divided among three 

trust funds that finance payments to (1) retired bankruptcy and magistrate judges, (2) retired 

Court of Federal Claims judges, and (3) spouses and dependent children of deceased judicial 

officers. The appropriation requirements are calculated annually by an enrolled actuary pursuant 

to 31 U.S.C. 9503.

I. Mandatory Adjustments to Base

Based on independent actuarial calculations, a net increase of $16.7 million is required for this 

account for fiscal year 2019. 

II. Appropriations Language

Sec. [619]___. (a) There are appropriated for the following activities the amounts required under 

current law:

(1) Compensation of the President (3 U.S.C. 102).

(2) Payments to--

(A) the Judicial Officers' Retirement Fund (28 U.S.C. 377(o));

(B) the Judicial Survivors' Annuities Fund (28 U.S.C. 376(c)); and

(C) the United States Court of Federal Claims Judges' Retirement Fund (28 U.S.C. 

178(l)).

(3) Payment of Government contributions--

(A) with respect to the health benefits of retired employees, as authorized by chapter 

89 of title 5, United States Code, and the Retired Federal Employees Health Benefits Act 

(74 Stat. 849); and

(B) with respect to the life insurance benefits for employees retiring after December 

31, 1989 (5 U.S.C. ch. 87).

(4) Payment to finance the unfunded liability of new and increased annuity benefits under 

the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund (5 U.S.C. 8348).
62

(5) Payment of annuities authorized to be paid from the Civil Service Retirement and 

Disability Fund by statutory provisions other than subchapter III of chapter 83 or chapter 84 

of title 5, United States Code.

(b) Nothing in this section may be construed to exempt any amount appropriated by this 

section from any otherwise applicable limitation on the use of funds contained in this Act.

(H.R. 3280 - Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2018)

III. Summary of Obligations

Category

FY 2017

Actual

FY 2018

Assumed

Obligations/

Appropriations

FY 2019

Request

Requested

Increase/

Decrease

Other - Judicial Officers' Retirement Fund 140,100 160,700 181,300 20,600

Other - Judicial Survivors' Annuities Fund 22,400 28,600 26,000 (2,600)

Other - United States Court of Federal Claims 

Judges' Retirement Fund 5,800 5,700 4,400 (1,300)

Total Obligations/Appropriations 168,300 195,000 211,700 16,700

Judicial Retirement Funds

Comparative Summary of Obligations by Category

($000)
63

Judiciary Space Priorities

for the

Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request
64

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65

The federal courthouse construction program is jointly administered by the judiciary and General 

Services Administration (GSA). The judiciary establishes priorities for courthouse construction 

projects and sets the housing requirements for each project to ensure that completed facilities

meet the needs of the courts. GSA, as the holder of real property authority, secures the funding 

for courthouse construction and completes design and construction work on the facilities 

themselves. 

The judiciary sets forth its priorities for courthouse construction funding on its Federal Judiciary 

Courthouse Project Priorities (CPP) list. The CPP is divided into two parts. Part I consists of 

the judiciary’s highest courthouse construction funding priorities for the budget year. Part II 

identifies outyear courthouse construction priorities.

Management of Fiscal Year 2016 Funding

In fiscal year 2016, Congress provided $948 million to GSA for the construction of courthouses 

on the judiciary’s CPP list, as approved by the Judicial Conference in September 2015. 

Consistent with congressional intent, fiscal year 2016 courthouse construction funding will be 

used to fully fund eight projects: Nashville, Tennessee; Toledo, Ohio; Charlotte, North Carolina; 

Des Moines, Iowa; Greenville, South Carolina; Anniston, Alabama; Savannah, Georgia; and San 

Antonio, Texas. Partial funding was also provided for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Congress also 

provided $53 million for GSA for new construction and acquisition of federal buildings that 

jointly house U.S. courthouses and other federal agencies in Greenville, Mississippi, and 

Rutland, Vermont. Joint courthouse/federal building projects are prioritized by GSA and do not 

appear on the judiciary’s CPP.

On April 17, 2016, GSA transmitted a spending plan to the House and Senate Appropriations 

Committees detailing the allocation of funds and providing summaries of each funded project. 

As of December 2017, all of the courthouse projects on that plan have been authorized by both 

the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on the 

Environment and Public Works, except for the Rutland, Vermont project, which is still pending. 

Each of these projects is in a different stage of development; some will begin construction in the 

coming months while others still require significant design work or acquisition of a building site. 

The AO continues to engage with GSA, USMS, and other Executive Branch stakeholders to 

ensure that additional milestones are reached and projects remain on track. These activities 

include regular coordination and project status meetings; the development of a communications 

and program management plan; establishment of a National Courthouse Change Management 

Board to provide key oversight of the changes impacting scope, schedule, and budget; and the 

deployment of a program management dashboard to track progress.

Courthouse Construction
66

Update to the CPP

On September 12, 2017, the Judicial Conference of the United States approved an updated CPP 

list for fiscal year 2019 and beyond. The CPP list approved in September 2017 reflects the

addition of one new location – McAllen, Texas – to Part II based on the city’s Asset 

Management Planning process Urgency Evaluation score and the recommendations contained in 

the project’s completed GSA feasibility study. For fiscal year 2019, Part I of the CPP includes 

three project requests: 

 $138.9 million in additional construction funding for the project in Harrisburg, 

Pennsylvania, that was partially funded in fiscal year 2016;

 $110.0 million for site acquisition, design, and construction for a new courthouse in 

Huntsville, Alabama; and

 $190.1 million for site acquisition, design, and construction funding for a new courthouse 

in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
67

Courthouse Project ($000)

Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse, Detroit, 

Michigan 11,150

U.S Courthouse, Augusta, Georgia 14,250

FY 2019 Request 25,400

FY 2019 Request

The Capital Security Program (CSP) is funded as a Special Emphasis Program within the 

General Services Administration’s (GSA) Federal Buildings Fund. The CSP provides funding to 

address serious security deficiencies in existing courthouse buildings where physical renovations 

are viable in lieu of constructing a new courthouse. 

Fiscal Year 2019 Projects

The Judiciary requests $25.4 million in fiscal year 2019 for GSA to address security deficiencies 

at existing courthouses through the CSP. Funds are requested for the following projects

1

:

1. Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse, Detroit, Michigan: $11.15 million

The Levin Courthouse was constructed in 1934 and is listed on the National Register of 

Historic Places. The 402,935 useable square feet, ten-story plus basement structure 

houses 24 courtrooms, one hearing room, and 32 chambers. Security deficiencies at this 

courthouse will be partially addressed by constructing an enclosed USMS sally port, 

adding a visitor access enclosure, providing courtroom holding cells on two floors, and 

incorporating a detention grade elevator cab in the existing shared freight elevator shaft 

to provide improved prisoner movement.

2. U.S. Courthouse, Augusta, Georgia: $14.25 million

The U.S. Courthouse in Augusta was constructed in 1916 and expanded in 1930. It is 

listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 28,321 useable square feet, threestory plus basement structure houses two courtrooms, one hearing room, and three 

chambers. Security deficiencies at this courthouse will be addressed by replacing an 

existing open air carport with an enclosed USMS sally port and separate judges’ parking 

area, enlarging/reconfiguring the existing security screening queuing area, providing a 

dedicated judges’ elevator and a dedicated prisoner elevator, reconfiguring the first floor 

to provide secure and restricted circulation paths for prisoners and judges, and 

________________

1 All project cost estimates are subject to verification by GSA. In addition, the actual projects funded and the dollar 

amounts associated with each project may change depending on the amount appropriated for CSP and the most 

recent cost estimates available at the time of appropriation.

 Judiciary Capital Security Program
68

constructing a new prisoner movement circulation corridor over the first-floor roof to 

provide secure circulation on the second floor.