Volume 7 Issue 12

Indicates featured legislation

Jurisdiction: Newly Introduced

Delaware SB 10 (Constitutional Amendment) Adds the United States Bankruptcy Courts to the list of entities that may certify questions of law to the Delaware Supreme Court. (Second adoption, first adoption was in 2011/2012 session). In Senate Executive Committee.

Jurisdiction: Floor and Committee Activity

Arizona HB 2240 Increases small claims jurisdiction from $2,500 to $5,000. Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee 3/11/13.

Mississippi HB 142 Allows county court to have criminal jurisdiction over any criminal matter assigned by the circuit court. Approved by full Senate 3/7/13. To Governor for signature.

Mississippi HB 244 HOUSE VERSION: Creates category of expedited small claims for cases between $5,000 and $100,000. SENATE VERSION: Creates category of expedited small claims for cases between $3,500 and $100,000.  Senate version approved by full Senate 3/15/13. House does not concur with Senate amendment.

New Hampshire CACR 7 (Constitutional Amendment) Provides legislature alone shall have the authority and full discretion to define reasonable standards for elementary and secondary public education and to establish reasonable standards of accountability therefor. Provides legislature alone shall have full discretion to determine the amount of, and methods of raising and distributing, state funding for education. Rejected by full House 3/13/13.

Tennessee HB 42 Expressly prohibits state judges from enforcing federal laws, rules, or regulations regarding firearms put in place after 1/1/2013. Rejected by House Civil Justice Committee subcommittee 3/13/13.

Qualifications and Terms: Newly Introduced

Minnesota SB 1420 Increases mandatory judicial retirement age from last day of month reaches 70 to last day of month reaches 72. In Senate Judiciary Committee.

Minnesota SB 1421 Increases mandatory judicial retirement age from last day of month reaches 70 to December 31 of the year of a general election after a judge reaches 72. In Senate Judiciary Committee.

North Carolina SB 333 Provides person who was unsuccessful candidate for any judicial office in the most recent general election may not be appointed to a vacancy on a superior court. In Senate Rules Committee.

Qualifications and Terms: Floor and Committee Activity

Florida SB 746 Removes all references to "terms of court" in statute. Approved by Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice 3/13/13.

Montana HB 172 ORIGINAL: Allows Montana state bar attorney member admitted to practice at least 5 years to serve as a judge pro tem. AMENDED: removed 5 year requirement. Approved by full Senate 3/13/13. To Governor for signature.

New Mexico HB 119 ORIGINAL: Requires all metropolitan judges be attorneys and have practiced for at least five years. AMENDED: Same, but adds each metropolitan court judge shall reside in the district for which the judge was elected or appointed. Approved with Senate amendment by Senate Judiciary Committee 3/14/13.

New Mexico HB 151 Provides where a magistrate without a law license holds office in a county in which a law license is required due to population increase, the judge may remain in office and be re-elected. Approved by full Senate 3/13/13. To Governor for signature.

Oklahoma SJR 24 (Constitutional Amendment) Provides appellate court judges and justices to serve a single 20-year term and not be subject to retention elections. Provides new limit is prospective. Approved by full Senate 3/13/13.

Rule Making Authority: Newly Introduced

Arkansas HR 1044 Encourages Supreme Court to allow minor victims of a sex offender to testify by video. In House Judiciary Committee.

Texas HB 2479 Requires supreme court create forms for expedited foreclosures. In House Judiciary Committee.

Texas HB 2878 Requires supreme court create standardized forms for civil actions. In House Judiciary Committee.

Texas HB 3023 Requires supreme court create rules for prompt disposition of civil appeals and require courts of appeal post cases that have been pending longer than 6 months. In House Judiciary Committee.

Rule Making Authority: Floor and Committee Activity

NONE

Salary and Budget: Newly Introduced

Georgia HB 580 Provides for additional or partial retirement benefits under Superior Court Clerks' Retirement Fund. Makes other changes regarding spousal benefits. In House Retirement Committee.

Georgia HB 601 Restricts and repeals an automatic cost-of-living benefit increase of retirement benefits under Judges of the Probate Courts Retirement Fund. Provides for a portion of fines and forfeited bonds for criminal, quasi-criminal, and civil cases for violating state statutes or traffic laws be paid to the fund. In House Retirement Committee.

Minnesota HB 1398 Adds court technology fee to civil filings (placeholder, amount to be filled in). In House Judiciary Finance and Policy Committee.

Minnesota HB 1399 Provides for sliding scale for fees in conciliation court (i.e. small claims) based on amount of suit. In House Judiciary Finance and Policy Committee.

Texas HB 2302 Provides for either a $5 or $15 fee, depending on court type, on civil filings and criminal convictions to pay for electronic filings in state courts. In House Judiciary Committee.

Texas SB 1080 Requires study of the adequacy and appropriateness of additional compensation paid to certain county judges. In Senate Jurisprudence Committee.

Texas SB 1108 Provides judicial and court personnel training fund may be used to train the personnel of district attorneys and public defenders offices. In Senate Jurisprudence Committee.

Texas HB 2327 Increases various courthouse security fund fees. In House Judiciary Committee.

Pennsylvania HB 913 Provides fees, fines and costs assessed under state's Dog Law to go to Dog Law Restricted Account rather than Judicial Computer System Augmentation Account. In House Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee.

Salary and Budget: Floor and Committee Activity

Arkansas HB 1366 Provides for disbursement of funds from Administration of Justice Fund in the event the balance is too low to meet all obligations. Approved by House Judiciary Committee 3/13/13.

Georgia SB 142 Provides Georgia Judicial Retirement System board of trustees shall have the authority to determine the time and circumstances of paying benefits to the extent necessary to preserve the retirement system's status as a qualified plan under federal law. Provides that a prohibition against a person receiving a pension from accepting public employment shall apply to persons who become members on or after July 1, 2014, without regard to age.  Approved by House Retirement Committee 3/14/13.

Illinois HB 2327 ORIGINAL: Authorizes county boards to require the clerk of the circuit court to charge and collect a court automation fee of up to $25 (instead of $15) and a court document fee of up to $25 (instead of $15). AS AMENDED: Same, but limits the fee amount imposed upon certain defendants to not less than $1 nor more than $15. Approved as amended by House Rules Committee 3/13/13.

Illinois SB 1768 ORIGINAL: Allows Supreme Court to set additional filing and other fees to pay for e-filing and electronic case management systems and to pay for Supreme Court established committees and commissions. AS AMENDED: Removes all of original bill. Creates the Supreme Court Special Purposes Fund. Provides that, with exceptions, all fees paid to or received by an appellate court clerk shall be paid into the Supreme Court Special Purposes Fund (instead of the State treasury) for costs associated with electronic filing and case management systems in the reviewing courts and the operation of committees and commissions established by the Supreme Court. Approved as amended by Senate Judiciary Committee 3/12/13.

Indiana SB 527 Urges the legislative council to assign to the pension management oversight commission the task of studying the retirement, disability, and death benefits currently provided to judges and full-time magistrates.  Approved by House Employment, Labor and Pensions Committee 3/19/13.

Iowa SB 318 Requires the department of administrative services and any other state agency that maintains a separate counting system and elects to establish a debt collection setoff procedure, to remit to the state court administrator, 10 percent of the amounts set off from the collection of delinquent court debt for use by the judicial branch to defray the costs of collecting unpaid court debt. Specifies that the fees collected for examination and admission to practice law are appropriated to the judicial branch and shall be used to offset the costs of administering the examination and admission process to practice law. Approved by full Senate 3/13/13.

Kentucky HB 238 Requires the State Property and Buildings Commission or the Kentucky Asset/Liability Commission to issue any authorized agency bonds on behalf of the judicial branch of the Commonwealth. Approved by full House 3/11/13. To Governor for approval.

Kentucky SB 98 Allows the trustees of county law libraries using certain finance plan to purchase equipment for county law libraries and to allow library materials and equipment to be housed in Court of Justice Facilities.  Approved by full House 3/11/13. To Governor for approval.

Maryland HB 950 Increases the limit on the maximum salary that the Board of Public Works may set for a clerk of a circuit court from $98,500 to $114,500. Provides act does not apply to the salary or compensation of an incumbent clerk of a circuit court. Approved by House Judiciary Committee 3/11/13. Approved by full House 3/14/13.

Maryland SB 640 Makes permanent various surcharges on specified court fees, charges, and costs for the Maryland Legal Services Corporation. Approved by Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee 3/11/13. Approved by full Senate 3/14/13.

Montana HB 206 HOUSE VERSION: Doubles fees in justice's court and small claims court. SENATE VERSION: Increases most fees. Approved with Senate amendment by full Senate 3/15/13. To House to concur with amendment.

Montana HB 403 Provides clerks may charge 50 cents for providing or accepting copies of papers on file in the clerk's office by facsimile, e-mail, or other electronic means. Approved by full House 3/11/13.

New Mexico HB 95 Adds a new tier of benefit structure for new members of the Judicial Retirement Act (JRA) and the Magistrate Retirement Act (MRA).  Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee 3/10/13.

New Mexico SB 25 Changes age and service credit requirements and pension calculations for judicial retirement system and magistrate retirement system. Approved by House Labor Committee 3/1/313. Approved by full House 3/15/13. To Governor for signature.

New Mexico SB 27 Changes contribution and cost of living rates for judicial retirement system and magistrate retirement system. Approved by full House 3/13/13. To Governor for signature.

Texas SB 390 Amends current law relating to the effective date of a new court cost or fee or of an amendment to the amount of a court cost or fee. Approved by full Senate 3/13/13.

Washington HB 1542 Requires courts to appoint a certified or registered interpreter at public expense in all legal proceedings in which a non-English-speaking person is a party or is compelled to appear. Provides for state reimbursement of one-half of the costs for qualified interpreters, subject to the availability of funds specifically appropriated for this purpose. Requires courts to track and provide interpreter cost and usage data annually to the Administrative Office of the Courts.  Approved by full House 3/12/13.

West Virginia SB 331 Permits Courthouse Facilities Improvement Authority to issue bonds Approved by Senate Government Organization Committee 3/14/13.

Selection: Newly Introduced

Alaska SB 76 Prohibits Judicial Council from making recommendation relating to a judge or justice seeking retention. In Senate Judiciary Committee.

Arkansas HB 2065 Provides district court judicial candidates to file with Secretary of State and not county clerk. Modifies various provisions relating to judicial election deadlines. In House State Agencies & Government Affairs Committee.

Arkansas SB 870 Shifts judicial elections onto November general election ballot. In Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Arkansas SB 872 Provides for special runoff elections in judicial elections if there is a tie vote. In Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Michigan HB 4435 Requires all candidates for Supreme Court and Court of Appeals to file election documents in person and show photo ID. In House Elections and Ethics Committee.

Texas HB 2211 Requires contributions to campaigns for county judge or justice of the peace judge to be online. In House Elections Committee.

Texas HB 2772 Creates interim study regarding the method by which judges and appellate justices and judges are selected. In House Judiciary Committee.

Selection: Floor and Committee Activity

Arizona HB 2600 Provides merit selection commissions must provide governor at least 5 names (constitution says at least 3 names) to fill a judicial vacancy. Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee 3/11/13.

Arkansas SB 694 ORIGINAL: Provides judge/justice may not use "Judge" or "Justice" on ballot unless they have been in that office at least 12 months. AS AMENDED: Provides judge/justice may not use "Judge" or "Justice" on ballot unless 1) they were elected to a judicial office in the last election 2) they are seeking the office of circuit or district judge and 3) they serving as a judge for at least 12 months. Approved as amended by Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs 3/14/13.

Kansas HB 2019 Ends merit selection for court of appeals only. Provides governor may select nominees subject to senate confirmation. Provides failure by Senate to vote on candidate within certain time frame results in automatic confirmation. Approved by full Senate 3/13/13. To Governor for signature.

Maryland HB 515 Provides candidate for orphans' court may not be nominated in party primary, may not be nominated by other party process, and must be elected at general election on a nonpartisan basis. (Currently elected on partisan ballot). Approved by House Judiciary Committee 3/11/13.

Minnesota HB 1083 (Constitutional Amendment) Provides for merit selection for all judges in state with performance evaluation commission. Approved by House Elections Committee 3/18/13.

New Mexico SB 15 For state's publicly finance judicial elections, sets rules for independent expenditures over $300. Provides for statement of top independent expenditure contributors in advertisements where contribution of $3000 or more from same independent expenditure person or group. Defines "coordinated expenditure" and specifies rules for such actions. Approved by House Judiciary Committee 3/14/13.

New Mexico SB 16 Makes various changes to publicly financed judicial elections in state. Removes provisions related to non-certified candidates and seed money requirements. Alters contributions levels and limits. Changes provisions with respect to matching funds/rescue funds. Approved by full House 3/13/13. To Governor for signature.

Oklahoma SJR 21 (Constitutional Amendment) Ends states merit selection system. Allows governor to appoint any qualified person. Prior to submission to senate, allows judicial nominating commission to make advisory recommendation. Provides recommendation to be sent to Senate and Senate to confirm nominee. Approved by full Senate 3/13/13.

Oklahoma SJR 22 (Constitutional Amendment) Allows governor to appoint chief justice (currently, chief justice is chosen by court). Approved by full Senate 3/13/13.

Tennessee HB 835 Extends the judicial performance evaluation commission until June 30, 2014. Approved by House Government Operations Committee 3/13/13.

Tennessee SJR 2 (Constitutional Amendment) AS AMENDED: Provides governor may appoint anyone who meets age and residency requirements to appellate courts with legislative confirmation. Provides nominee is deemed confirmed if legislature fails to act on nomination within 60 calendar days of nomination or 60 days of start of legislative session (if nominated out of session). Provides for retention elections. Approved by full Senate 3/11/13. To appear on November 2014 ballot.

West Virginia HB 2805 Makes the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Public Campaign Financing Pilot Program a permanent program. Approved by House Judiciary Committee 3/13/13.

Structure Changes: Newly Introduced

West Virginia HCR 70 Requests Joint Committee on Government and Finance study feasibility of having magistrate districts to be the same as delegate districts. In House Rules Committee.

Structure Changes: Floor and Committee Activity

Indiana HB 1016 Provides additional circumstances under which a person can participate in a problem solving court program. Provides that a problem solving court may provide rehabilitative services. Simplifies the problem solving court fee transfer process. Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee 3/14/13.

Maryland SB 239 Increases Court of Special Appeals (state's intermediate appellate court) from 13 to 15. Approved by full Senate 3/14/13.

Mississippi HB 943 ORIGINAL: Allows counties to establish County Courts. AMENDED: Same, but provides if county voters have voted to abolish County Court the county legislature cannot recreate one within 2 years. House concurs with Senate amendment 3/14/13. To Governor for signature.

Missouri HB 309 Establishes the Military Veterans and Servicemembers Court Program to provide treatment and intervention to veterans and servicemembers charged or convicted of certain crimes. Approved by House Veterans Committee 3/13/13.

Tennessee HJR 124 Urges establishment of Veterans Courts across Tennessee and urges the administrative office of the courts to pursue any and all available federal funding for such an initiative Approved by House Civil Justice Committee subcommittee 3/13/13.

Tennessee SB 780 Requires the administrative office of the courts to reassess the state's judicial districts every 10 years. Requires findings of such reassessment and any suggested changes in the judicial districts or allocation of judges to be reported to the senate judiciary committee and the house of representatives civil justice committee. Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee 3/12/13.

Other: Newly Introduced

Arkansas HB 2015 Requires continued existence of Judicial Council be reviewed by 2017 and every 2 years thereafter. In House State Agencies & Government Affairs Committee.

Arkansas HB 2191 Authorizes but does not require Administrative Office of the Courts create a brochure on how to strengthen marriage. Provides county clerks who issue marriage licenses to distribute brochure. In House City, County, and Local Affairs Committee.

Hawaii SCR 112 Requests judiciary reduce necessity and number of trips by prisoners to courthouses for hearings. In Senate Judiciary Committee.

Michigan HB 4412 Allows for digital court records and electronically filed court papers in all state courts. Provides for electronic signatures on court documents. In House Judiciary Committee.

Michigan HB 4413 Allows for reproduction of digital court records and electronically filed court papers in all state courts. In House Judiciary Committee.

Michigan HB 4414 Allows courts to provide electronic access to court records, pleadings, and practice. Provides for "enhanced access" for a reasonable fee. In House Judiciary Committee.

Michigan HB 4415 Allows for digital court records and electronic filing of testimony given in probate court. In House Judiciary Committee.

Michigan HB 4416 Allows for digital court records and electronically filing of probate court papers. In House Judiciary Committee.

Michigan HB 4417 Provides for validity and enforceability of certain judgments. Allows a registry or a certified reproduction to serve as a complete replacement. In House Judiciary Committee.

New York SB 4181 Exempts clerks of court from paying fee to become notary or maintain notary license. In Senate Finance Committee.

New York SB 4209 Authorizes the electronic filing of local criminal court accusatory instruments. Imposes $5 dollar fee on convictions to pay for efiling system.  In Senate Codes Committee.

North Carolina SB 331 (Constitutional Amendment) Requires all public records and meetings of judiciary to be open and available. In Senate Judiciary I Committee.

Pennsylvania HR 138 Directs the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study of the constable system in Pennsylvania. Requires report on findings be sent to chief justice and legislature. In House Judiciary Committee.

Pennsylvania HR 150 Memorializes the Supreme Court to approve and adopt proposed Rules of Criminal Procedure 113, 513 and 513.1, related to public access to arrest warrants. In House Judiciary Committee.

Pennsylvania HR 159 Authorizes impeachment investigation of Justice Joan Orie Melvin by House Judiciary Committee and the Courts Subcommittee. In House Judiciary Committee.

Texas HB 2147 Allows any county officer to carry a firearm in a courthouse. In House Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee.

Texas HB 2409 Provides judges of certain courts may hire court administrators (currently may only hire administrative assistants). In House Judiciary Committee.

Texas HB 3219 Allows any elected official to carry a firearm into courthouses in state. In House Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee.

Texas SB 209 Revises functions and operation of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. In Senate Jurisprudence Committee.

Texas SB 1097 Requires creation of judicial identification cards and their use in lieu of a driver's licenses in certain circumstances. In Senate Jurisprudence Committee.

Texas SB 1471 Provides process for recusal or disqualification of a statutory probate court judge and subsequent assignment of another judge. In Senate Jurisprudence Committee.

Texas SJR 42 (Constitutional Amendment) Revises functions and operation of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. In Senate Jurisprudence Committee.

West Virginia HB 2869 Allows judges and magistrates to carry concealed firearms in court buildings and offices of family court judges. In House Judiciary Committee.

West Virginia HB 2889 Allows judges and magistrates to carry concealed firearms in court buildings and offices of family court judges. In House Judiciary Committee.

Other: Floor and Committee Activity

Arizona HB 2516 Permits an officer acting in an official capacity to carry a firearm into the Arizona Supreme Court, court of appeals, superior courts, justice courts and municipal courts. Requires on-duty peace officers to carry official peace officer identification while attending court. Allows a presiding judge to establish rules or policies consistent with laws pertaining to the carrying of firearms by peace officers. Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee 3/11/13.

Arkansas HB 1406 Requires seal of clerk of court be "clear and legible and capable of photographic reproduction." Approved by Senate City, County and Local Affairs Committee 3/8/13.

Arkansas HB 1408 Provides judges may openly carry a firearm in their courtroom. Approved by House Judiciary Committee 3/8/13.

Arkansas HB 1417 Exempts current or former court bailiffs from concealed carry license requirement enacted or effective after January 1, 2013. Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee 3/13/13.

Arkansas HB 1554 Requires district court judges filed statement of financial interest with county clerk (currently filed with city clerk in city they serve in). Approved by Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee 3/8/13.

Arkansas SB 331 Prohibits judges from serving as lobbyists with respect to any administrative matter they were involved in while serving as a judge. Approved by full House 3/12/13. To Senate to concur with House amendment.

Arkansas SB 411 Repeals requirement that state AOC develop web-based mandated reporter training curriculum. Approved by full House 3/12/13. To Governor for signature.

Connecticut SB 235 Enacts Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act. Provides for official publication of decisions of the Supreme Court, the Appellate Court and the Superior Court. Approved by Joint Committee on Judiciary 3/13/13.

Florida HB 571 Requires supreme court marshal & his or her deputies to comply with specified requirements for law enforcement officers. Specifies that marshal & his or her deputies are law enforcement officers with statewide authority to bear arms & perform official duties & apprehend without warrant under certain conditions. Deletes provisions relating to marshal & his or her deputies being conservators of peace. Approved by House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee 3/13/13.

Florida HB 643 Provides requirements for storage of papers & electronic filings. Authorizes clerk to provide public records in an electronic format. Clarifies when office title "Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller" may be used. Approved by Civil Justice Subcommittee 3/13/13.

Florida SB 496 Requires supreme court marshal & his or her deputies to comply with specified requirements for law enforcement officers. Specifies that marshal & his or her deputies are law enforcement officers with statewide authority to bear arms & perform official duties & apprehend without warrant under certain conditions. Deletes provisions relating to marshal & his or her deputies being conservators of peace. Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee 3/12/13.

Georgia HB 512 Allows concealed carry permit holder to carry their firearm into any courthouse unless there is court security screening at the front door. Approved by full House 3/7/13.

Georgia HR 657 Celebrates the 30th anniversary of the magistrate court system. Approved by full House 3/7/13.

Georgia SB 66 Increase of maximum contempt fines superior and state courts may issue. Approved by full House 3/14/13.

Hawaii SB 32 Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act. Provides for official electronic versions of reported decisions of state's appellate courts and state court rules. Approved by House Judiciary and Consumer Protection & Commerce Committees 3/14/13.

Iowa SB 187 Provides the clerk of the district court shall be solely responsible for transmitting the record on appeal to the clerk of the supreme court in civil and criminal proceedings. Specifies the clerk of the district court shall only transmit the record to the clerk of the supreme court upon the request of the appellee, appellant, the attorney for the appellee or appellant, or the appellate court. Approved by full Senate 3/12/13.

Kansas HB 2055 Allows for carrying of firearms into courthouses in state unless there is "adequate security" present, defined as electronic equipment and personnel intended to screen and prohibit carrying of weapon inside. Approved by full House 3/14/13.

Mississippi HB 649 Provides when an election is challenged, the Chief Justice is to designate judge to hear case from outside the county/district/circuit the complaint was filed in. Approved by full Senate 3/12/13. To Governor for signature.

Mississippi SB 2385 Creates new crime of filing false lien against judges, court staff, and other public officials/employees. Approved with House amendment by full House 3/13/13. To Senate to concur.

New Hampshire HB 571 Establishes task force to study and make recommendations on the judicial branch family court division. Rejected by full House 3/13/13.

New Hampshire HB 670 Allows for the appointment of new martial masters and permits current marital masters to remain in office until retirement, resignation, disability, or nonrenewal of appointment. Rejected by full House 3/13/13.

New Mexico HB 358 Adds magistrate judge and additional member of public to judicial standards commission (implements constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2012). Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee 3/14/13.

New Mexico HB 426 Requires state's sunshine portal include all employees of all branches and agencies, including judiciary. Approved by full House 3/14/13.

North Dakota HB 1417 Increases small claims jurisdiction from $10,000 to $15,000. Approved by full Senate 3/13/13. To Governor for signature.

Oklahoma HB 1242 Authorizes district court judges to carry firearms anywhere in the state if judge undertakes certain training. Approved by full House 3/14/13.

Oklahoma HB 1723 Allows municipal judges to carry firearms in courtrooms. Approved by full House 3/14/13.

Oregon SB 33 Adds judiciary to list of government entities that must designate a liaison to the office of Emergency Management.  Approved by Senate Veterans and Emergency Preparedness Committee 3/12/13.

Oregon SB 528 Allows Secretary of State, State Treasurer, judicial department and legislative department to obtain copyrights and patents on data processing materials and to sell, lease or otherwise make available the materials to state and federal governmental bodies. Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee 3/14/13.

Tennessee SB 1058 Expands the number of legislative committees that are required to receive reports from the administrative director of the courts regarding the appointment of additional senior justices or judges. Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee 3/12/13.

Tennessee SB 791 Creates Tennessee court information system steering committee. Approved by Senate Government Operations Committee 3/13/13.

Tennessee SJR 103 (Constitutional Amendment) ORIGINAL: Allows Supreme Court to temporarily remove governor from office due to disability. AMENDED: Removes any reference to Supreme Court. Approved as amended by Senate Judiciary Committee 3/12/13.

Texas SB 107 Restricts disclosure by a court of criminal history record information that is the subject of an order of nondisclosure. Approved by Senate Criminal Justice Committee 3/13/13.

Texas SB 265 Removes requirement that various county officers, including judges and clerks of court, execute a bond.  Approved by full Senate 3/13/13.

Washington SB 5484 Provides assault of a person in a courthouse, courtroom or building associated with court proceedings is a class C felony. Approved by full Senate 3/13/13.

Washington SB 5797 Legislature respectfully encourages the supreme court to adopt any administrative orders and court rules of practice and procedure it deems necessary to support the establishment of effective specialty courts. Approved by full Senate 3/13/13.