Jurisdiction: Newly Introduced
Idaho HB 568 Prohibits application of foreign law by courts in state. In House Judiciary Committee.
Missouri SJR 42 (Constitutional Amendment) Provides assumption all government acts are unconstitutional. Provides for formula using original meaning of state constitution for courts to interpret. Provides judges who fail use original meaning are subject to impeachment. In Senate Judiciary Committee.
Jurisdiction: Floor and Committee Activity
Indiana HB 1322 Specifies that circuit courts, superior courts, and probate courts have original and concurrent jurisdiction under certain provisions of the Indiana Code. Approved by full Senate 3/1/16. To House to concur with Senate amendments.
Utah SB 181 Provides that, in a legal action filed against a county, a district court judge of the defendant county may transfer venue to any county contiguous to the defendant. Approved by full Senate 2/29/16.
Utah SB 213 Raises the jurisdictional limit for small claims court for breach of contract actions to $15,000. Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee 2/29/16.
West Virginia SB 274 Increases civil jurisdictional amount in magistrate courts from $5,000 to $10,000. Approved by full House 3/4/16. To Governor for approval.
Qualifications and Terms: Newly Introduced
NONE
Qualifications and Terms: Floor and Committee Activity
Utah HB 160 ORIGINAL: Requires justice court judges be admitted to practice law in the state. Provides requirement contingent on passage of constitutional amendment. AMENDED: Provides justice court judges in first and second class counties must be law school graduates. Deletes reference to admitted to practice law. Approved as amended by Senate Judiciary Committee 3/2/16.
Virginia HB 1245 HOUSE: Broadens the age 73 mandatory retirement provision to include all judges regardless of when elected by the General Assembly. SENATE: Same, but only takes effect June 1, 2017. House concurs with Senate amendment 3/2/16. To Governor for approval.
Rule Making Authority: Newly Introduced
NONE
Rule Making Authority: Floor and Committee Activity
NONE
Salary and Budget: Newly Introduced
Louisiana HB 427 Provides that the approved use of funds from the judicial building fund for equipping city courts includes all costs associated with new and ex sting software and electronic case management systems for court use. In House Judiciary Committee.
Louisiana SB 120 Increases judicial salaries based on Judicial Compensation Commission recommendation. In Senate (no committee).
Louisiana SB 173 Requires judicial branches to make their budgets submitted to the legislature available online to the public. In Senate Finance Committee.
Missouri HJR 100 (Constitutional Amendment) Provides recommendation of compensation commission only to go into effective if funds appropriated. In House (no committee).
Salary and Budget: Floor and Committee Activity
Oregon HB 4093 Allows presiding judge of judicial district to impose a $5 surcharge on parking and traffic violations, if county receives Article XI - Q bond proceeds for county courthouse repair or replacement. Requires county commissioners to request surcharge and requires Chief Justice approval of the surcharge. Requires a copy of the order for surcharge to be delivered to State Court Administrator by July 1 of each year for application in following year. Requires participating county to establish a courthouse surcharge account and deposit surcharge revenue into that account. Approved by full House 3/1/16. Senate concurs with House amendments 3/2/16. To Governor for approval.
Tennessee HB 1791 Provides the supreme court shall have the authority to set all fees, charges, and surcharges of the clerk at levels sufficient to offset the costs of administering the clerk’s office. Approved by House Finance Committee subcommittee 3/2/16.
Tennessee SB 2022 Provides the supreme court shall have the authority to set all fees, charges, and surcharges of the clerk at levels sufficient to offset the costs of administering the clerk’s office. Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee 3/1/16.
Selection: Newly Introduced
NONE
Selection: Floor and Committee Activity
Maryland SB 179 (Constitutional Amendment) Ends elections for Circuit Courts. Provides governor to appoint with senate confirmation. Provides additional terms to be obtained via reappointment and reconfirmation. Reduces terms in office from 15 years down to 10 years. Rejected by Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee 3/3/16.
Mississippi HB 130 Provides municipal clerks in code charter municipalities to be appointed by executive. Approved by full House 3/1/16.
Oklahoma HB 3162 (Constitutional Amendment) AS AMENDED: Provides Judicial Nomination Commission members chosen by governor and legislature (8/15) serve at pleasure of appointing authority. Provides JNC to send all names to governor with scores of 1-10. Requires joint House/Senate committee confirmation for nominees. Approved by full House 3/3/16.
Oklahoma SB 1246 For interim vacancies on district courts, allows governor to fill unexpired term by calling special election (currently must appoint from list provided by Judicial Nominating Commission). Approved by full Senate 2/29/16.
West Virginia HB 4725 Specifies if the unexpired term of a judicial office is for a period of more than two years the position it to be filled by governor initially by the governor and then by election for the remainder of the term. Approved by full House 2/27/16.
Structure Changes: Newly Introduced
NONE
Structure Changes: Floor and Committee Activity
NONE
Other: Newly Introduced
Kentucky HB 531 Provides law against a person with a concealed carry permit from entering a courthouse with a gun only applies of sign is posted indicating area prohibits carrying of weapons. In House Judiciary Committee.
Kentucky SB 254 Requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to collect and report data on the race, ethnicity, and sex of members of juries. In Senate Judiciary Committee.
Kentucky SB 257 Provides law against a person with a concealed carry permit from entering a courthouse with a gun only applies of sign is posted indicating area prohibits carrying of weapons. In Senate Judiciary Committee.
Kentucky SB 276 Requires that opinions of the Supreme Court be made available to the public without cost online. In Senate Judiciary Committee.
Louisiana HB 268 Prohibits a clerk of court from engaging in the practice of law. In House Judiciary Committee.
Louisiana SB 173 Provides for the attorney general to provide legal representation to parish judges. In Senate Judiciary B Committee.
Other: Floor and Committee Activity
Connecticut HB 5247 Apples various state accounting statutes to Probate Courts. Approved by Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections 2/29/16.
Maryland HB 98 Prohibits a person from retaliating against a juror or officer of the court for the performance of official duties in a State or federal court. Prohibits a person from soliciting another to retaliate against a juror or officer of the court for the performance of official duties in a State or federal court. Approved by full House 3/3/16.
Mississippi HB 571 Defines "courthouse" and "courtroom" for purposes of law allowing for carrying of firearms into courthouses but not courtrooms. Approved by full House 2/29/16.
Mississippi HB 1484 Requires Administrative Office of the Courts, rather than Office of Youth Services, to maintain state central registry of youth court cases. Approved by full House 3/3/16.
Virginia HB 64 ORIGINAL: Requires the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court to establish an electronic filing system for use by the general district courts. AMENDED: Drops any reference to e-filing system creation. Approved as amended by full Senate 3/3/16. To House to concur with Senate amendments.
Virginia HB 624 Requires that the circuit court case files on crimes that are considered to be violent felonies or acts of violence be retained for 50 years or until the sentence term ends, whichever comes later. Approved by full Senate 2/22/16. To Governor for approval.