Bill > SB913

This bill modifies Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 51.020 to remove previous restrictions on establishing justice of the peace districts. Specifically, the bill eliminates existing language that prohibited creating justice of the peace districts that include portions of a county seat or cities where circuit courts regularly hold court. Previously, most counties were barred from creating such districts, with only a few specific counties (Baker, Crook, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Morrow, Sherman, Tillamook, and Wheeler) having limited exceptions. The bill removes these geographic limitations, giving county courts and boards of county commissioners more flexibility in establishing justice of the peace districts. The bill maintains the existing limit of no more than six justice of the peace districts per county and retains the provision that allows counties to require justices of the peace to be members of the Oregon State Bar. By removing these geographic restrictions, the bill aims to provide counties with greater discretion in organizing their judicial districts and potentially improving access to judicial services.

Justice

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/SB913