Bill > SB482

Introduced Session

The purpose of this bill is to modify to the number, allocation, and terms of office of circuit court judges, family court judges, and magistrates to be elected in the 2024 general election. The bill alters county composition of circuit courts and family courts. The bill increases and reduces judges for certain circuit courts. The bill increases the number of family court judges and magistrates. The bill alters county composition of certain circuit and family courts. The bill updates the process for Supreme Court of Appeals to undertake magistrate caseload study in 2026 and submit administrative order regarding magistrates. The bill eliminates restrictions regarding maximum number of magistrates and restoring the Legislature's ability to reduce magistrates. The bill removes payment of magistrate salaries based on population. The bill relates generally to payment of family court judges, family court staff, magistrate court clerks, magistrate assistants, and additional magistrate staff. The bill permits the Supreme Court of Appeals to authorize additional magistrate assistants. The bill provides for Chief Magistrate or Chief Circuit Judge's management of magistrate assistants. The bill eliminates the restriction on number of magistrate court deputy clerks. The bill authorizes the Supreme Court of Appeals to create classifications for magistrate and family court support staff support staff and determine proper managing authority for such staff. The bill permits the Supreme Court of Appeals to increase family case coordinators. The bill sets the maximum annual salary for magistrate and family court support staff. Finally, the bill provides for effective dates.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Jason Barrett (R)*,  Vince Deeds (R),  Patricia Rucker (R),  Charles Trump (R),  Jack Woodrum (R), 

Senate Finance Committee Meeting (15:00:00 2/27/2023 Room 451-M) (on 02/27/2023)

Official Document