Jurisdiction: Newly Introduced
Delaware SB 100 Prohibits application of foreign law by courts in state. In Senate Judiciary Committee.
Jurisdiction: Floor and Committee Activity
Delaware HB 48 (Constitutional Amendment) Adds "the highest appellate court of any foreign country, or any foreign governmental agency regulating the public issuance or trading of securities" to the list of entities that may certify questions of law to the Delaware Supreme Court. (Second adoption, first adoption was in 2013/2014 session). Approved by full Senate 5/14/2015. Becomes part of constitution (no vote of public required).
Texas SJR 8 (Constitutional Amendment) Authorizes the legislature to require a court to provide notice to the attorney general of a challenge to the constitutionality of a state statute and authorizing the legislature to prescribe a waiting period before the court may enter a judgment holding the statute unconstitutional. Approved by full Senate 5/12/2015.
Qualifications and Terms: Newly Introduced
NONE
Qualifications and Terms: Floor and Committee Activity
Nevada AB 66 ORIGINAL: Requires justice of the peace in township over 100,000 within a county with a population over 100,000 be an attorney. AMENDED: Same, but also increases civil jurisdiction of justice courts to $15,000 (all civil claims) and $10,000 (small claims). Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee 5/12/2015.
Texas HB 1923 Allows former statutory probate court judges to serve as special judges. Approved by full House 5/12/2015.
Rule Making Authority: Newly Introduced
NONE
Rule Making Authority: Floor and Committee Activity
Maine HB 139 Authorizes the Supreme Judicial Court to adopt any rules or issue any orders necessary to implement its electronic case management and filing system. Requires the court to notify the Legislature of any such rules or orders and to recommend any changes in law needed to implement or promote the system. Approved by full Senate 5/12/2015. To Governor for approval.
Salary and Budget: Newly Introduced
Nebraska LR 252 Directs interim study to examine court costs and fees. In Senate Judiciary Committee.
South Carolina HB 4187 Adds probate judges to state's judicial retirement system. In House Ways & Means Committee.
Salary and Budget: Floor and Committee Activity
Alabama HB 438 Allows probate judges to purchase additional retirement credits in the Judicial Retirement Fund of Alabama if they have the requisite years of creditable service. Approved by House Ways & Means General Fund Committee 5/7/2015.
Nebraska LB 663 Increases judicial salaries. Approved by full Senate, transmitted to Governor 5/14/2015.
Oklahoma SB 548 ORIGINAL: Increases salaries of appellate judges and justices. AMENDED: Same but provides for smaller increases. Senate refused to concur with amendments, conference committee requested 5/15/2015.
Oklahoma SB 549 Eliminates procedure linking salaries of other state officers/elected officials to judicial salaries. Vetoed by Governor 5/11/2015. Veto overridden by Senate 5/15/2015.
Texas SB 1025 ORIGINAL: Provides county judges entitled to annual salary supplement from the state in an amount equal to 25 percent of the annual compensation provided for a district judge in the General Appropriations Act (currently county judges get $15,000). SUBSTITUTE: Same but reduces amount of supplement to 18 percent of the annual compensation provided for a district judges in the General Appropriations Act. Approved by Senate Finance Committee as substituted 5/11/2015.
Selection: Newly Introduced
NONE
Selection: Floor and Committee Activity
Texas HB 2088 Requests interim study regarding the method by which district judges and appellate justices and judges are selected. Rejected by full House 5/14/2015.
Structure Changes: Newly Introduced
New Jersey SB 2847 Creates land use court as separate limited jurisdiction court. In Senate Judiciary Committee.
Structure Changes: Floor and Committee Activity
Missouri HB 799 AS AMENDED BY SENATE: Creates new 46th judicial circuit. Provides when an annual judicial performance report indicates for three consecutive calendar years the need for four or more full-time judicial positions in any judicial circuit having a population of one hundred thousand or more, there shall be one additional circuit judge position authorized in such circuit, subject to appropriations made for that purpose. Approved by House Fiscal Review Committee 5/11/2015. Approved by full House 5/13/2015.
Nevada AB 435 Creates 11th Judicial District. Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee 5/12/2015.
South Carolina SB 426 Creates mental health court program under control of prosecutors. Judges of courts to be chosen by chief justice. Approved by full House 5/12/2015.
Texas SB 455 Provides challenges to state laws to be heard on request of Attorney General by three-judge panels of District Court, two of whom are to be chosen by Chief Justice. Approved by House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee 5/12/2015.
Other: Newly Introduced
NONE
Other: Floor and Committee Activity
California AB 1521 ORIGINAL: Allows for electronic signatures specified for court proceedings and judgments. AMENDED: Requires an attorney to provide a defendant or potential defendant of a construction related accessibility claim with an answer form developed by the judicial council, which would allow a defendant to respond in the event a complaint is filed. Approved by Assembly Judiciary Committee as amended by author 5/12/2015.
Illinois HB 3620 Provides all parties and witnesses must be provided foreign language interpreter in all court proceedings as needed. Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee 5/13/2015.
Kansas SB 12 ORIGINAL: Increases penalties for assaults on attorneys, judges and court services officers in the performance of their duties. SUBSTITUTE: Changes procedures for sentencing services members of the United States Armed Forces. Senate refused to concur with substitute, conference committee convened 5/11/2015.
Louisiana HB 169 ORIGINAL: Requires all state entities, officials, and employees provide any information requested by the legislature. AMENDED: Provide judicial branch need only provide information "pertaining to any money or monies, any assets or items of economic value to the state, or any financial transactions in the control of or handled by or through the judicial branch..." Approved as amended by full House 5/13/2015.
Maryland HB 312 Prohibits filing false liens on judges and others. Permits clerk to reject filings. Vetoed by Governor 5/12/2015.
Nevada AB 160 Provides that justice courts and municipal courts may be held outside their township/precinct/city under specific circumstances. Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee 5/12/2015.
Texas HB 4103 Authorizes a judge of a municipal court not reappointed by the 91st day following the expiration of a term of office who continues to serve for another term of office to continue to perform the duties of the office without taking an additional oath or affirmation otherwise required under the Texas Constitution. Approved by full House 5/12/2015.
Texas SB 1116 Provides for a notice or document sent by mail or electronic mail by a court, justice, judge, magistrate, or clerk of a judicial court. Approved by full House 5/15/2015.