ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES COURTS

Salaries and Expenses

SUMMARY STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT REQUIREMENTS

Fiscal Year 2024 Assumed Appropriation $102,673,000

Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriation $108,684,000

 Requested Increase from Fiscal Year 2024 Assumed Appropriation $6,011,000

APPROPRIATION LANGUAGE

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES COURTS

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

For necessary expenses of the Administration 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

[$102,673,000] $108,684,000 , of which not to exceed $8,500 is authorized for official reception and

representation expenses.

(H.R. 4664/S. 2309 - Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2024 updated to reflect the judiciary's fiscal year 2024 assumed appropriation) 

 8.1
Fiscal Year 2025 Resource Requirements:

FTEs Amount

1,584.0 $296,350

- (7,978) 

- (9,211) 

- (6,552) 

 Reimbursable Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (866.5) (169,936)

717.5 $102,673

Page No. Adjustments to Base to Maintain Current Services:

A. Personnel

 Pay and benefit adjustments

8.14 - 1,223 

8.14 - 1,110 

8.14 - 872 

8.14 - 128 

8.14 - 140 

Fiscal Year 2024 Obligations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 Estimated FY 2023 fee collections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

 Fee carryforward from FY 2023 into FY 2024 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

 Carryforward from Judiciary Information Technology Fund. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Fiscal Year 2024 Assumed Appropriation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SUMMARY OF REQUEST

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES COURTS

FISCAL YEAR 2025

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

4. Benefits increases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

a. Health benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

b. FICA adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

3. Promotions and within-grade increases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

2. Annualization of January 2024 pay adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

1. Proposed January 2025 pay adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

 8.2
Page FTEs Amount

B. Other Adjustments

8.15 - 123 

8.15 - 657 

8.15 1.0 186 

8.16 0.5 110 

8.16 2.0 389 

8.16 1.0 172 

4.5 5,110

Total Current Services Appropriation Required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 722.0 107,783

C. Program Increases:

8.16 0.5 135 

8.17 0.5 93 

8.17 1.0 185 

8.17 2.5 488 

726.5 108,684

4.5 6,011

Financing the Fiscal Year 2025 Request:

FTEs Amount

726.5 108,684

8.17 - 8,637 

8.17 - 7,895 

8.17 Reimbursable programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 898.0 181,875 

1,624.5 307,091 

10. Judicial Conference Secretariat (2 pos) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

9. Office of Fair Employment Practices (1 pos) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

11. Procurement Improvements (5 pos) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

5. Inflationary increases in charges for contracts, services, supplies, and equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Total Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriation Required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Total Appropriation Increase, Fiscal Year 2024 to Fiscal Year 2025. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Total Appropriation Required. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Estimated FY 2025 fee collections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Estimated fee carryforward from FY 2024 into FY 2025. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Estimated Obligations, Fiscal Year 2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8. Deputy Chief Information Officer (1 pos) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

6. Increase in requirements to maintain FY 2024 service levels due to anticipated decrease in non-appropriated funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

7. Annualization of new positions requested in FY 2024 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

a. Judicial Integrity Office (annualization of 2 pos). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

b. IT Oversight support staff (annualization 1 pos) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 Subtotal, Adjustments to Base to Maintain Current Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

c. Project Management staff (annualization 4 pos) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

d. DTS Judicial Conference and Advisory Council support (annualization 2 pos) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

 8.3
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

Salaries and Expenses

Obligations by Activity ($000)

Activity

Program Direction and Policy Formulation 101,797 105,842 108,572

Program Services 45,401 53,324 55,671

Administrative Services 62,410 67,921 71,276

Technology Services 57,797 69,263 71,572

Total Obligations 267,404 296,350 307,091

Unobligated Balance, Start of Year:

 Judiciary Information Technology Fund (4,465) (6,552) - 

Deposits and Other Adjustments: (4,572) - 

 Judiciary Information Technology Fund 

Unobligated Balance, End of Year: 6,552 - - 

 Judiciary Information Technology Fund 

Subtotal, Other Obligations (2,485) (6,552) - 

Direct Obligations 264,919 289,798 307,091

Offsetting Collections

 Federal Funds (20,982) (17,189) (16,532)

 Reimbursable Programs (141,264) (169,936) (181,875)

 Salaries and Expenses (103,449) (126,746) (136,867)

 Electronic Public Access (21,471) (24,616) (25,464)

 Defender Services (10,180) (11,788) (12,524)

 Court Security (6,164) (6,786) (7,020)

Available Appropriation $102,673 $102,673 $108,684

 FY 2023 Actual FY 2024 Plan FY 2025 Request 

8.4
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

Salaries and Expenses

Obligations by Budget Object Class ($000)

FY 2023 Actual FY 2024 Plan FY 2025 Request

Total Total Total

Description Obligations Obligations Obligations

1100 Personnel compensation 184,066 215,329 231,751

1200 Personnel benefits 66,836 64,472 65,099

1300 Benefits for former personnel 5 23 23

2100 Travel 1,402 1,619 1,651

2200 Transportation of things 182 158 161

2330 Communications, utilities, & misc 549 592 606

2400 Printing and reproduction 103 157 161

2500 Other services 5,727 5,155 5,271

2600 Supplies and materials 326 1,262 1,297

3100 Equipment 1,313 1,031 1,071

4200 Claims - - - 

9100 Undefined Disbursements (JITF Deposits) 4,410 - -

Direct Obligations 264,919 289,798 307,091

Other Obligations (JITF Obligations) 2,485 6,552 - 

Total Obligations 267,404 296,350 307,091

8.5
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

Salaries and Expenses

Full-time Equivalents by Activity

Activity FY 2023 Actual FY 2024 Plan FY 2025 Request

Program Direction and Policy 

 Formulation 216 261 265 

Program Services 305 378 378 

Administrative Services 386 479 482 

Technology Services 343 466 500 

Total, Full-Time Equivalents 1,250 1,584 1,625 

Less: Reimbursable Positions (680) (867) (898) 

Salaries and Expenses 523 670 700 

Electronic Public Access 77 109 109 

Defender Services 51 59 60 

Court Security 29 29 29 

Total, Direct Full-Time Equivalents 570 717 727 

8.6
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

Salaries and Expenses

Relation of Obligations to Outlays ($000)

Direct obligations incurred 264,919 289,798 307,091

Obligated balance, unpaid obligations, start of (10,463) (12,293) (12,173)

Adjustments of prior year activity (4,261) 2,169 2,267

Obligated balance, unpaid obligations, end of 12,293 12,173 13,430

Total Outlays 262,488 291,847 310,615

Less Offsets (159,815) (187,125) (198,407)

Net Outlays 102,673 104,722 112,208

FY 2023 Actual FY 2024 Plan

FY 2025 

Request

8.7
GENERAL STATEMENT AND INFORMATION

This appropriation is for the necessary expenses of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AO), pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 

§§ 601-613. Created by an Act of Congress in 1939, the AO is the central support entity for the judicial branch. It supports and

serves the federal judiciary in carrying out its constitutional mission to provide equal justice under the law. The fiscal year (FY) 2025

request for the AO account totals $108,684,000 in direct appropriations to support staff and operating expenses at a current services

level and program increases to increase staff:

1) to manage the Long-Range Plan for Information Technology in the federal judiciary, in the Department of Technology Services;

2) to assist with increased support to the judiciary, in the Office of Fair Employment Practices;

3) to support increased policy work demands, in the Judicial Conference Secretariat office; and

4) to provide oversight over increasingly complex procurement and acquisition management activities.

The AO provides administrative, legal, financial, management, program, security, and information technology services to the federal

courts, court units, and federal defender organizations. It provides support and staff counsel to the Judicial Conference of the United 

States and its committees, and it implements Judicial Conference policies as well as applicable federal statutes and regulations. The

AO has central responsibility for communication and coordination within the judiciary, and with Congress, the executive branch, and

the public on behalf of the judiciary. The AO’s lawyers, court administrators, accountants, systems engineers, analysts, architects,

statisticians, security experts, and other staff provide professional services to meet the needs of judges and staff working in the federal

courts and federal defender organizations nationwide. These services include: 

▸ performing central payroll, personnel, accounting, and procurement functions;

▸ developing and executing the judiciary’s budget and guiding local court and federal defender budget execution;

▸ collecting and analyzing statistics on court, probation and pretrial services, and federal defender workload;

▸ auditing judiciary financial operations;

▸ monitoring and reviewing program performance and use of resources;

▸ developing and supporting automated systems and technologies used throughout the courts and federal defender offices;

▸ coordinating construction and management of judiciary facilities with the General Services Administration (GSA);

▸ monitoring U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) implementation of the Judicial Facility Security Program;

▸ defining court and federal defender resource needs through caseload forecasts and work measurement analyses;

▸ providing program leadership and support for circuit executives, clerks of court, probation and pretrial services officers,

federal defenders, and other managers; and

▸ developing and conducting education and training programs focused on improving court administration and operations.

8.8
The updated Strategic Direction for the Administrative Office of the United States Courts (Strategic Direction), published in 2022, 

complements the Strategic Plan for the Federal Judiciary, approved by the Judicial Conference in September 2020. Taken together, these 

two documents define the mission, values, and strategic intent of the federal judiciary and its supporting administrative office, as 

“OneJudiciary.” As described in the Strategic Direction, the AO focuses on delivering excellent service to the courts, court units, probation 

and pretrial services offices, and federal defender organizations, effectively and efficiently. At the same time the Strategic Direction

underlines the AO’s imperative to maintain an exemplary workplace; continually strengthen its security posture; maintain effective 

communication channels and tools; and foster collaboration and partnerships that strengthen understanding, trust, and confidence in the AO 

and the judiciary. One way the AO works at achieving its mission is through measuring and responding to employee feedback. In 

November 2021, the AO conducted its fourth employee viewpoint survey, administered by the Office of Personnel Management. As was 

done for previous surveys (2015, 2017, 2019), an AO-wide Employee Engagement Task Force assessed the results and shared its 

recommendations and observations for improvement with AO leaders. 

Table 8.1 Selected AO Fiscal Year 2024 Projected Workload Indicators 

Indicator Number

Active and senior judges (Article III, bankruptcy, magistrate, and Court of Federal Claims) 2,444

Court staff (Appellate, district, bankruptcy, probation and pretrial services) and public 

defender staff 27,992

Court units (Appellate, district, bankruptcy, probation and pretrial services) 354

Federal defender organizations (Districts) 92

Court facilities (GSA- and U. S. Postal Service-owned federal buildings and leased

facilities) 753

Judicial Conference committees 25

Court appropriations and fees (Salaries and Expenses, Defender Services, Fees of Jurors,

Court Security, and Judicial Retirement Funds) $9.0 billion

8.9
FY 2024 APPROPRIATIONS

The judiciary built the FY 2025 AO budget request of $108,684,000 on the FY 2024 assumed appropriation, which is 

$102,673,000. The FY 2024 assumed level is the FY 2024 Senate mark, which is the same level as the FY 2023 enacted 

appropriation. The availability of additional carryforward from FY 2023 will allow the AO to execute program increases in 

FY 2024 at the assumed level. For bill language, the judiciary used the language from H.R. 4664 and S. 2309, Financial Services 

and General Government Appropriations Act, 2024, which are identical, as the closest approximation of the eventual enacted 

FY 2024 appropriations language, updated with the assumed level as described above. 

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

Fostering an Exemplary Workplace Across the Judiciary 

The judiciary has continued to foster an exemplary workplace for its employees. The judiciary has long-standing policies protecting its 

employees against discrimination, harassment, and retaliation consistent with federal employment discrimination statutes applicable in the 

executive and legislative branches. Over the last several years, the judiciary has also enhanced and refined its codes of conduct, workplace 

policies, and accountability processes. For example, the judiciary’s workplace protections now include protection from abusive conduct that 

creates a hostile workplace, regardless of discriminatory motive. In addition, the judiciary has continued to develop training and has created 

confidential points of contact both within and outside individual employing offices to provide multiple avenues for employees to seek 

guidance and advice about workplace conduct concerns. 

The AO’s national Office of Judicial Integrity (OJI) and Directors of Workplace Relations (DWRs) in each circuit were created to provide 

employees with access to confidential advice outside of the traditional court chain of command. Together, the OJI, DWRs, and local 

Employee Dispute Resolution (EDR) coordinators form a national network of trained, experienced professionals who support the judiciary’s 

workplace conduct initiatives and EDR processes. This includes not only providing confidential advice and guidance to employees, 

managers, and judges, but also a number of other services. For example, DWRs assist EDR coordinators to support and facilitate EDR 

processes. The OJI and DWRs also coordinate on the development and delivery of workplace conduct training programs and other 

initiatives, including recommending best practices for handling workplace conduct concerns when they arise. 

The OJI requested 2 FTE in FY 2024 to support initiatives centered around workplace conduct investigations, providing courts and offices 

with independent investigative assistance, specialized investigative training, and consultative support. At the circuit level, several Offices of 

Workplace Relations have added staff to support the work of DWRs, including Deputy Director of Workplace Relations and Workplace 

Specialist positions. Though staffing needs differ based on each circuit’s size, structure, and population, these investments illustrate the 

judiciary’s continued commitment to supporting employees and addressing workplace conduct issues promptly and effectively. 

8.10
The judiciary has also established clear and trusted lines of communication with law schools to ensure they are aware of the judiciary’s 

workplace protections and processes for addressing concerns available to law students and graduates interning, clerking, or working in the 

judiciary. The OJI and DWRs continue to provide tailored programming for law school administrators and for new and incoming law clerks. 

The Federal Judiciary Workplace Conduct Working Group (Working Group) remains active and, in collaboration with Judicial Conference 

committees and AO advisory groups, continues to evaluate and assess existing policies, procedures, and practices to ensure an exemplary 

workplace. In September 2022, the Judicial Conference approved a recommendation to have the Federal Judicial Center (FJC), the 

judiciary’s independent education and research arm, conduct periodic national workplace surveys of court and federal public defender 

employees. Beginning in January 2023, the FJC administered the first national workplace survey to current judiciary employees. The FJC 

will provide its report of the results to the Working Group, which will use that information to assess remaining challenges and determine 

what additional recommendations may be appropriate. 

Courthouse Ethics and Transparency Act (CETA)

The Courthouse Ethics and Transparency Act (Pub. L. No. 117-125), signed into law in May 2022, mandates that judges file periodic 

financial transaction reports starting August 11, 2022, and required the AO to establish an online database by November 9, 2022, that gives 

the public access to any judge's financial disclosure reports. The Judicial Conference Committee on Financial Disclosure has issued 

guidance on the new statutory requirement that the judicial branch report periodic transactions of stocks, bonds, commodity futures, and 

other securities, as the other branches of government do. The Committee also began implementing the Judicial Conference's March 2022 

authorization for immediate online release of judges' certified financial disclosure reports in a way that does not endanger them or their 

families. The online database is live and it is accessible to the public via United States Courts | Financial Disclosures (uscourts.gov) The 

FY 2023 enacted appropriation allowed the AO to hire additional staff in the Office of the General Counsel to support additional workload 

for CETA implementation. 

Compliance and Risk Improvements 

The AO continues to assess risks and enhance the response to recommendations from audits, internal control reviews, and other 

studies. The Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program provides the AO Director and AO executives with greater visibility into 

efforts to improve oversight and address AO-wide risks, systemic issues, and internal control weaknesses. The AO’s Office of 

Compliance and Risk has conducted a series of internal management reviews of various functions with a focus on efficiency and 

effectiveness. Additional reviews are planned in FY 2025. 

The AO is improving processes for tracking and monitoring compliance with laws and regulations. This effort includes monitoring 

8.11
changes in legislation and regulations requiring implementation, maintaining inventories of legal and regulatory requirements, and

developing corrective action plans to improve compliance where necessary.

AO SUPPORT OF THE JUDICIARY

Fair Employment Practices Initiatives

The judiciary has expanded internships, fellowships, and other pipeline program opportunities that serve to encourage students and 

professionals to explore the multitude of career opportunities, in addition to ensuring that these programs equip participants with the skills 

needed to be competitive for future employment. The judiciary has increased recruitment and outreach efforts to attract talent from all 

segments of society by ensuring that opportunities are widely advertised and that hiring processes are standardized and transparent. The 

judiciary has also hosted discussions and training to build an inclusive culture, improve employee engagement, and pursue the workforce 

strategy outlined in the Strategic Plan for the Federal Judiciary. The AO and stakeholder groups are reviewing data to identify any issues 

with respect to bias or disparity in field-level activities. Additionally, the judiciary has developed an officer misconduct tracking report that 

districts can use to promote consistency and transparency, while preserving integrity and trust in the federal probation and pretrial services 

system.

Securing and Modernizing the Judiciary’s IT Infrastructure 

The judiciary has developed a Cybersecurity and IT Modernization Strategy that provides a framework to support changes needed in 

judiciary IT governance, the establishment of enterprise standards, improvements to enterprise visibility, and modernization of the security 

of systems and solutions across the judiciary. 

Judiciary IT Security Task Force. The AO Director established a Judicial IT Security Task Force (Task Force) in June 2021 with a mission 

to examine the judiciary’s current IT security posture. The Task Force included various judiciary representatives and held its first meeting in 

July 2021, convening regularly until its final meeting in July 2023. The Task Force made several recommendations deemed necessary to 

ensure the immediate and future IT security of the judiciary. These recommendations also support many areas within the Judiciary IT 

Modernization and Cybersecurity Strategy and were developed to protect the integrity of the judicial process. The Task Force’s 

recommendations are aimed to set the judiciary on a path to accomplish three broad goals: 

1) transform the judiciary’s governance and culture,

2) strengthen identities and systems, and

8.12
3) build and foster relationships.

IT Workforce Development and Training. The Chief Information Officer has initiated efforts to ensure the ongoing effectiveness of 

recruiting, training/retraining, retaining, restructuring, and outsourcing of IT personnel where appropriate, thus ensuring a resilient workforce 

with a viable succession plan. Also, the judiciary has mandated cybersecurity training for all IT professionals that aligns with the National 

Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) framework to begin to address specific demographics within the collective IT community. 

The NICE framework establishes best practices about how to identify, recruit, develop, and retain talent. 

Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA). The AO continues to work closely with stakeholders to develop a ZTA strategy document that aligns with 

the Judiciary IT Modernization and Cybersecurity Strategy, the principles of the President’s Executive Order 14028 (Improving the Nation’s 

Cybersecurity), and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency Zero Trust Maturity Model. 

Expansion of Multi-Factor Authentication. A key requirement of ZTA is multi-factor authentication (MFA), which makes it more difficult 

for adversaries to gain access to critical judiciary resources even if passwords are compromised. In December 2022, the IT Committee 

endorsed the Task Force’s recommendation to expand MFA use. 

Federal Defender Actions. The judiciary is modernizing the defenders’ IT infrastructure and cybersecurity environment by: 

1) improving network security to defend client, witness, and court data against potential threats and vulnerabilities;

2) using cloud services to optimize resource use in a secure manner;

3) implementing secure collaboration services so staff can seamlessly and securely collaborate with outside parties, protect client

confidentiality, and maintain data integrity; and

4) modernizing national infrastructure to align with ZTA and identity management requirements.

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE RECOMMENDATIONS

The narrative found here satisfies the 31 U.S.C. § 720(b)(2) requirement to inform the House and Senate Appropriations Committee on 

actions taken in response to Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommendations. 

GAO Study on Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Investigations

8.13
Report: On November 16, 2022, GAO issued U.S. Courts: The Judiciary Should Improve Its Policies on Fraud, Waste, and Abuse 

Investigations (GAO-23-105942). The study was requested by Representative Henry C. “Hank” Johnson Jr., and Representative Gerald E. 

Connolly. 

Issues Examined: The report focuses on the federal judiciary’s fraud, waste, and abuse investigation program. Specifically, GAO evaluated 

the extent to which the judiciary’s policies for addressing fraud, waste, and abuse align with leading investigative guidance and key internal 

control principles. 

Recommendations: GAO made eight recommendations in its report, including that the AO establish an independent office to carry out the 

judiciary’s fraud, waste, and abuse program and to investigate and resolve allegations. 

Administrative Office Action: Since the publication of the report, the AO has initiated recruitment of a fraud, waste, and abuse investigator 

and plans to update policy to reflect the independent nature of the position. Additionally, the role of the Judicial Conference Committee on 

Audits and AO Accountability was expanded so that the Committee receives all final fraud, waste, and abuse reports. 

8.14
ADJUSTMENTS TO BASE TO MAINTAIN CURRENT 

SERVICES

A. PERSONNEL

Pay and Benefit Adjustments

1. Proposed 2025 pay adjustment

Requested Increase: $1,223,000 

The judiciary is assuming federal pay rates will increase by 2.0 

percent in January 2025. The requested increase provides for the 

cost of nine months of the anticipated pay raise in FY 2025, from 

January 2025 to September 2025. (If the pay adjustment 

included in the President’s FY 2025 budget request is different 

from this 2.0 percent, the judiciary will revise this line item in its 

FY 2025 budget re-estimate.) 

2. Annualization of 2024 pay adjustment

Requested Increase: $1,110,000 

The requested increase provides for the annualized costs of a 

2024 pay adjustment for Employment Cost Index (ECI) and 

locality pay. As a result of an ECI and locality adjustment, 

federal pay rates increased by an average of 5.2 percent, effective 

as of January 2024. The requested increase provides for the cost 

of three months (from October 2024 to December 2024) of the 

2024 pay increase in FY 2025. 

3. Promotions and within-grade increases

Requested Increase: $872,000 

The requested increase provides for promotions and within-grade 

increases for personnel. The salary plan for judicial support 

personnel provides for periodic within-grade increases for staff 

who receive at least a satisfactory performance rating.

4. Benefits increases

a. Health benefits

Requested Increase: $128,000 

Based on information from the Office of Personnel Management, 

health benefit premium contributions are projected to increase by 

an average of 5.0 percent in January 2024 and January 2025. The 

requested increase annualizes the 2024 premium increase and 

includes a nine-month provision for the increase anticipated for 

FY 2025. 

b. FICA adjustment

Requested Increase: $140,000 

Based on information from the Social Security Administration, 

employer contributions to the Old Age, Survivor, and Disability 

Insurance (OASDI) portion of the FICA tax will increase in 2024. 

The salary cap for OASDI increased from $160,200 to $168,600 

in January 2024. The requested amount is needed to pay the AO’s 

contribution in FY 2025. 

8.15
B. OTHER ADJUSTMENTS

General Inflationary Adjustments

5. Inflationary increases in charges for contracts,

services, supplies, and equipment

Requested Increase: $123,000 

Consistent with guidance from the Office of Management and 

Budget, this requested increase is required to fund inflationary 

adjustments of 2.2 percent for operating expenses such as travel, 

communications, printing, contractual services, supplies and 

materials, and furniture and equipment. 

6. Increase in requirements to maintain FY 2024

service levels due to anticipated decrease in nonappropriated funds

Requested Decrease: $657,000 

In addition to appropriations from Congress, the judiciary relies 

on other funding sources to finance its requirements. These nonappropriated funds include current year fee collections and 

carryforward of fee balances from the prior year. The use of 

these funds allows the AO appropriations request to be reduced 

on a dollar-for-dollar basis. 

The AO FY 2025 appropriation request of $108,684,000 reflects 

a projected availability of $16.5 million in non-appropriated 

funds. The FY 2024 obligation level assumes new fee collections 

and prior-year carryforward from FY 2023 totaling $17.2 

million. The AO request for appropriated funds for FY 2025 

therefore includes an increase of $657,000 to reflect the decrease 

in these non-appropriated funds to maintain the same level of 

services as provided in FY 2024. The judiciary’s estimates for 

non-appropriated funds typically fluctuate during the fiscal year. 

AO staff will update appropriations subcommittee staff on 

changes in non-appropriated funds levels.

7. Annualization of new positions requested in FY

2024

a. Office of Judicial Integrity (OJI) (2 positions)

Requested Increase: $186,000 FTE: 1.0 

The circuits and courts have specifically requested investigative 

support for workplace conducts matters, to include conducting 

investigations, consultative support, and investigations training. 

Since the OJI often also provides confidential Informal Advice to 

employees and employing offices regarding workplace conduct 

matters, having dedicated staff to conduct investigations and/or 

provide consultative investigations support provides the necessary 

staffing and helps avoid potential conflicts of interest within the 

OJI. This staff will also develop requested investigations-related 

training and programming for the courts. This additional 

investigative staffing capacity can also be shared by other AO 

offices – such as the Office of Fair Employment Practice or Fraud, 

Waste and Abuse – when capacity issues arise.

This request supports the annualization of these positions 

requested in FY 2024 and the amount of $186,000 represents a 

8.16
six-month annualization cost. 

b. IT Oversight support staff (1 position)

Requested Increase: $110,000 FTE: 0.5 

Based on findings related to the GAO study on IT management 

at the AO, this staff position will support the AO with working 

across the judiciary to address all findings related to IT oversight 

and guidance. 

This request supports the annualization of this position requested 

in FY 2024 and the amount of $110,000 represents a six-month 

annualization cost.

c. Project Management staff (4 positions)

Requested Increase: $389,000 FTE: 2.0 

These four positions will be used to establish a project 

management office within the AO. This office will be 

responsible for implementing best practices for project 

management across the AO. This will include development of 

comprehensive cost estimates and project schedules. This will 

help ensure that projects meet user needs and are delivered on 

schedule and within budget. 

This request supports the annualization of these positions 

requested in FY 2024 and the amount of $389,000 represents a 

six-month annualization cost. 

d. DTS Judicial Conference and Advisory

Council support staff (2 positions) 

Requested Increase: $172,000 FTE: 1.0 

The Department of Technology Services (DTS) provides staff 

support to the Judicial Conference Committee on Information 

Technology (IT Committee) and the AO’s IT Advisory Council 

(ITAC). There are only two staff who support these functions - 

one provides primary support to the IT Committee, the other 

provides primary support to the ITAC. The IT Committee staffer 

also manages and maintains Volume 15 (Information Technology) 

of the Guide to Judiciary Policy. 

This request supports the annualization of these positions 

requested in FY 2024 and the amount of $172,000 represents a 

six-month annualization cost.

C. PROGRAM INCREASES

8. Deputy Chief Information Officer (1 position)

Requested Increase: $135,000 FTE: 0.5 

As the judiciary has grown more dependent on IT, there is also 

increasing complexity in the AO’s IT environment. This 

complexity creates significant new challenges that can limit the 

ability to manage our environment. The Long-Range Plan for 

Information Technology in the Federal Judiciary provides an 

overview of the judiciary’s information technology programs and

describes key strategic priorities for the next three to five years. 

To manage this growing complexity as outlined in the plan a 

dedicated position would be required to focus on these challenges. 

8.17
This position will reside in the Department of Technology 

Services. 

9. Office of Fair Employment Practices (1 position)

Requested Increase: $93,000 FTE: 0.5 

The Office of Fair Employment Practices is requesting an 

additional personnel support staff to assist with the increased 

support provided to the judicial branch. The incumbent would 

assist individual courts, as well as the AO, in providing valuable 

strategies to remove any identified barriers to employment, train 

human resource professionals and hiring managers on best 

practices for collecting demographic data, and expand training 

across the judiciary. This staffing increase would increase 

staffing strength in the office to approximately 8 FTE.

10. Judicial Conference Secretariat (2 positions)

Requested Increase: $185,000 FTE: 1.0 

The Judicial Conference Secretariat is requesting two attorney 

advisor support staff to help offset the increased demands 

brought on by additional policy work for 25 committees along 

numerous subcommittees, peer advisory groups and working 

groups. This staffing increase would increase staffing strength in 

the office to approximately 9 FTE.

11. Procurement Improvements (5 positions)

Requested Increase: $488,000 FTE: 2.5 

The AO seeks to continually improve its acquisitions and 

procurement functions. These positions will add critical 

new resources in the areas of policy development, 

training, certification, and oversight. Without these 

additional positions, the AO’s Procurement Management 

Division will not be able to implement necessary 

procurement and acquisition reforms outlined in several 

internal and independent reviews. This staffing increase 

would increase staffing strength in the office to 

approximately 51 FTE.

FINANCING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 REQUEST

Estimated FY 2025 Fee Collections

Estimated Funds Available: $8,637,000 

The judiciary has authority to collect fees for various 

services such as bankruptcy filing, civil filing, bankruptcy 

noticing, and registry administration. These fees are used to 

reimburse judiciary appropriations and are available without 

fiscal year limitation. The judiciary estimates that $8.6 

million of new fee collections will be available to offset the 

AO’s FY 2025 budget request. The judiciary will continue 

to monitor filings and other collections throughout FY 2024 

and will advise appropriations subcommittee staffs of any 

changes to these estimates.

Estimated fee carryforward from FY 2024 into FY 2025 

8.18
Estimated funds available: $7,895,000 

In addition to receiving a portion of new fee collections, the 

AO account receives a portion of the fee balances carried over 

from prior years. This request reflects funds from existing

carryforward balances in the judiciary fee accounts that the 

judiciary estimates will be available to offset the AO’s

FY 2025 budget request. The judiciary will advise 

appropriations subcommittee staffs of any changes to this 

estimate.

Reimbursable Programs 

Funds Available: $181,875,000 FTE: 898 

Requested Increase: $11,939,000 

Beginning in 1990, Congress authorized reimbursable 

funds for the AO to carry out specific support functions 

for the courts. These functions include background 

checks/investigations, case management improvement,

Central Violations Bureau, court automation, court 

financial administration, court financial systems, court 

investment services, court security, defender services

audit and assessment, defender services training, 

Electronic Public Access services, the Federal Probation 

and Pretrial Services Training Academy, financial 

disclosure, judiciary benefits, and work measurement.

The FY 2025 request for the AO reimbursable programs

includes funding for 898 FTE from the Salaries and

Expenses (700 FTE), Defender Services (60.5 FTE), and 

Court Security (29 FTE) appropriations under the Courts

of Appeals, District Courts, and Other Judicial Services 

heading, as well as 108.6 FTE reimbursed from 

Electronic Public Access fees.

These positions are necessary to maintain a sufficient 

staffing level to fulfill core court and defender support 

responsibilities, oversee the court security program, and 

continue to develop, implement, and support automated

systems and technologies in the courts. These systems 

include network and telephone systems; case 

management/electronic case files systems that support 

appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts and probation 

and pretrial services offices; and financial management 

systems that ensure sound financial practices and internal 

controls.

The FY 2025 obligation level requested for the AO’s 

reimbursable program totals $181,875,000, a net increase of 

$11,939,000 from the projected FY 2024 obligation level of

$169,936,000. 

Within the Defender Services account, the FY 2025 request 

includes $316,000 for program increases (1.5 FTE) in the 

Program Operations Division to support program reviews, 

audit preparation, financial management, internal controls, 

procurement, and accountable officer liability. 

8.19