Revenue Highlights
$9.6 million increase in service fees
Reflecting responsible fiscal stewardship, the State Bar undertook an assessment of Admissions and General Fund service fees in 2023 to ensure that those fees at a minimum covered the cost of providing related services. Following this assessment, the Board of Trustees adopted increases in most service fees. This adjustment is projected to yield an additional $9.6 million in Admissions and General Fund revenue in 2024.
$77 million increase in grant funding
Revenue associated with legal services grantmaking has experienced significant growth, escalating from $204 million in the amended 2023 budget to $281 million in grant revenue in the 2024 budget.
$8.9 million in interest
The State Bar is expected to earn $8.9 million in interest revenue in 2024 due to the continuing favorable interest-rate environment.
Expenditure Highlights
The 2024 budget includes critical one-time investments totaling $7.1 million. These investments support key strategic initiatives, including:
Redesign and security improvements for the State Bar website ($0.3M).
Five-year update to the California Justice Gap Study ($0.4M).
Transition to a reduced physical footprint in San Francisco, including digitization project ($3.8M).
Needed infrastructure investments in the Los Angeles building ($1.5M).
Five-year update to the study of racial disparities in the attorney discipline system ($0.1M).
New contact center system to improve customer service ($0.5M).
Funding to address pending State Bar litigation ($0.5M).
These investments are partially offset by a one-time deferral in 2024 of the $2.8 million contribution payment to the Other Post-Employment Benefit Plan (OPEB).
