Judiciary. Budget.

JUDICIARY. BUDGET. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. Declares the people\u27s intent to safeguard the independence of the judiciary against retaliation from the other branches of state government, by establishing a minimum annual funding level for the Judicial branch of government (excluding trial courts) at $144.2 million, with $15.8 million thereof designated as the minimum funding level for the Supreme Court. Declares the people\u27s intent to permit reduction of this minimum funding level only upon 2/3 vote of the Legislature followed by 2/3 vote of the electorate. Restores any legislative cuts to the Judicial branch budget in fiscal years 1991-1992 through 1993-1994. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Since the measure expresses the intent of the people and does not require the Governor or Legislature to adhere to its provisions, the measure has no direct state fiscal impact. To the extent the Legislature and Governor chose to adhere to the provisions of the measure, it could result in state costs potentially in the millions of dollars. These costs would be incurred in those instances in which the Legislature would otherwise have reduced appropriations for the support of the judicial branch