State courts’ authority to hold some criminal and civil cases remotely will extend through 2026 under terms of a budget deal announced over the weekend by California Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders.

Language in the courts’ budget trailer bill released late Friday will allow the use of video appearances in criminal proceedings for another two years and in civil proceedings for an additional year. Statutory authority for both case types will end on Jan. 1, 2027, if lawmakers approve the legislation this week as expected.