§ 1-109 Commission on Technology

A. General Purpose. The Commission on Technology (COT) is established as a standing committee of the Arizona Judicial Council. The Commission on Technology shall:

1. Establish the goals, policies and priorities for the statewide judicial information technology plan.

2. Determine the allocation of available judicial enhancement collection funds and traffic case processing funds for automation grant requests and projects consistent with the direction, standards and priorities of the judicial strategic business and information technology plans. The Arizona Judicial Council shall determine the amount of these funds which are available for this purpose.

3. Oversee the statewide judicial department data communications network, including establishing security standards and procedures.

4. Develop and submit for approval statewide technical standards to be used in all court automation projects, including security, disaster recovery and communication standards.

5. Oversee the selection, development and support of state-sponsored automation systems supported by the administrative office.

6. Encourage projects which use technology to increase accessibility to the courts, improve court efficiency and improve court management.

7. Review and approve supreme court, court of appeals and county-wide court information technology strategic plans for consistency with the judiciary’s strategic business and information technology plans and with applicable administrative orders and rules adopted by the court.

8. Review and approve or disapprove court technology projects that exceed a cost of $250,000. COT may establish the policies and procedures for the submission of project plans.

9. Monitor the progress of all court automation projects pursuant to county-wide court information technology plans.

B. Membership. COT is composed of representatives from each of the following:

1. The court of appeals;

2. The superior court;

3. Limited jurisdiction courts;

4. The State Bar of Arizona;

5. The public;

6. The clerks of superior court;

7. The administrative office;

8. One member selected from recommendations submitted by the governor;

9. One member selected from recommendations submitted by the legislature (alternating between the president of the senate and the speaker of the house);

10. One member selected from recommendations submitted by the County Supervisors Association;

11. One member selected from recommendations submitted by the League of Cities and Towns; and

12. Other members as may be appointed at the discretion of the chief justice.

C. Terms of Members. The chief justice shall appoint members for terms of varying lengths to encourage continuity and may reappoint members for successive terms.

D. Responsibilities of Members. Members shall attend and actively participate in COT meetings, assist with the administration of COT affairs and serve on COT advisory committees as necessary.

E. Organization.

1. The chief justice shall appoint COT leadership, including a chair, as needed to organize COT affairs.

2. The chair may appoint advisory committees to help COT carry out its responsibilities.

3. Standing advisory committees include:

a. Court Automation Coordinating Committee (CACC)

(1) Purpose. The Court Automation Coordinating Committee coordinates the enhancements, planning and implementation of automation in trial courts. Further, it recommends to COT policy and direction related to statewide trial court automation. It also coordinates with other automation committees, as appropriate, regarding recommendations for the selection of appropriate statewide court automation solutions and the allocation of available resources.

(2) Membership. This committee includes representatives from Arizona courts and other organizations as the COT chair may appoint.

(3) Organization. The COT chair may appoint the chair or direct members to elect the chair from among the membership. The CACC chair serves a one-year term and may be reappointed or reelected for successive terms. The CACC chair may create advisory subcommittees and workgroups as needed to help carry out the CACC’s responsibilities.

b. Technical Advisory Council (TAC)

(1) Purpose. The Technical Advisory Council responds to COT requests to recommend specific standards and technologies to carry out state-wide policies and priorities. It may also be requested to review technical aspects of automation plans and grant requests and make recommendations regarding technical standards and approaches.

(2) Membership. The Information Technology Division Director of the administrative office serves as chair. The COT chair appoints representatives from information technology departments or other organizations supporting court automation.

(3) Organization. The TAC chair may create advisory subcommittees and workgroups as needed to help carry out the TAC’s responsibilities.

c. Probation Automation Coordinating Committee (PACC)

(1) Purpose. The Probation Automation Coordinating Committee coordinates the planning, development and implementation of statewide probation systems. Further, it recommends to COT policy and direction related to statewide automation for adult and juvenile probation, and juvenile dependency and detention. It also coordinates with the Committee on Probation and related automation committees, as appropriate, regarding recommendations for the selection of appropriate statewide probation, detention and dependency case automation solutions and the allocation of available resources.

(2) Membership. This committee includes representatives from courts, probation departments or associated organizations as COT chair may appoint.

(3) Organization. The COT chair may appoint the chair or direct members to elect the chair from among the membership. The PACC chair will serve a one-year term and may be reappointed or reelected for successive terms. The chair may create advisory subcommittees and workgroups as needed to help carry out the PACC’s responsibilities.

F. Meetings. COT shall meet no less than twice a year. Additional meetings may be called at the discretion of the chair. All meetings shall be noticed and open to the public.

G. Quorum and Actions. COT must not conduct business unless a quorum of members is present as defined in ACJA § 1-202. COT shall adopt rules for conducting COT business.

H. Staff. Under the direction of the chief justice, the administrative office shall provide staff for COT and may conduct or coordinate research as recommended by COT. Adopted by Administrative Order 2001-09, effective January 11, 2001. Amended by Administrative Order 2004-37, effective July 1, 2004. Amended by Administrative Order 2026- 90, effective July 8, 2026.