Volume 7 Issue 23

Indicates featured legislation

Jurisdiction: Newly Introduced

NONE

Jurisdiction: Floor and Committee Activity

North Carolina SB 452 AS APPROVED BY HOUSE: Increases small claims from $5,000 to $10,000. Increases District Court jurisdiction from $10,000 to $25,000. Expands nonbinding arbitration law to cases up to $25,000. (Senate version had $20,000 for both) Senate concurs with House amendment 6/12/13. To Governor for approval.

Qualifications and Terms: Newly Introduced

New York AB 7969 (Constitutional Amendment) Increases mandatory retirement age from 70 to 74 for most state judges. Allows certain judges reaching 74 to be reappointed for 2 years terms to age 80. In Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Pennsylvania HB 1504 Requires magisterial district judges take courses on the identification and recognition of mental health conditions. In House Judiciary Committee.

Qualifications and Terms: Floor and Committee Activity

California AB 868 Requires Judicial Council train judges and judicial officers on the effects of gender identity and sexual orientation on family law proceedings. Requires on cultural competency and sensitivity relating to, and best practices for, providing adequate care to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee 6/13/13.

Rule Making Authority: Newly Introduced

NONE

Rule Making Authority: Floor and Committee Activity

NONE

Salary and Budget: Newly Introduced

NONE

Salary and Budget: Floor and Committee Activity

New Jersey AB 3308 Provides that the Supreme Court may, subject to limitations provided in the bill, adopt Rules of Court to revise or supplement filing fees and other statutory fees payable to the court for the sole purpose of funding: (1) the development, maintenance, and administration of a “Statewide digital e-court information system,” that incorporates electronic filing, service of process, document and case management, financial management, and public access to digital court records; and (2) Legal Services of New Jersey. Approved by Assembly Judiciary Committee 6/10/13.

Oregon SB 771 Allows judge member of Public Employees Retirement System to designate more than one beneficiary to receive retirement benefits after judge's death. Approved by full Senate 6/11/13.

Selection: Newly Introduced

NONE

Selection: Floor and Committee Activity

California AB 1005 Requires governor and state bar report number of applicants for judicial office that are veterans or disabled. Requires AOC report how many judges currently in office are veterans or disabled. Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee 6/11/13.

Structure Changes: Newly Introduced

NONE

Structure Changes: Floor and Committee Activity

NONE

Other: Newly Introduced

Texas SB 35 (Special Session) Expands number/type of Masters, Magistrates, Referees, and Associate Judges who may carry a firearm. In Senate (no committee).

Other: Floor and Committee Activity

California AB 1352 Clarifies that time periods to destroy court documents and records commence after the date of final disposition of the case. Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee 6/13/13.

Delaware SCR 9 Creates a Blue Ribbon Task Force to review the feasibility of opening Family Court proceedings to the public. Provides report due February 15, 2014. Approved by House Judiciary Committee 6/12/13.

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. Allows developing agency to keep part of profit to offset costs. Approved by full House 6/12/13.

Pennsylvania SB 601 Enacts Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act. Provides for official publication of decisions of the state's courts and rules of court. Approved by Senate Appropriations Committee 6/10/13.