Volume 8 Issue 17

Indicates featured legislation

Jurisdiction: Newly Introduced

NONE

Jurisdiction: Floor and Committee Activity

Missouri HB 1439 Provides it is state court's duty to protect 2nd Amendment rights of those in Missouri and prohibits them from enforcing or upholding any federal law or executive order in violation of 2nd Amendment. Removes official and qualified immunity from any judge who enforces such laws or executive orders. Approved by Senate General Laws Committee 4/15/14.

Qualifications and Terms: Newly Introduced

Pennsylvania SB 1345 Requires all judges be trained in issues related to domestic violence. In Senate Judiciary Committee.

Qualifications and Terms: Floor and Committee Activity

Louisiana HB 96 (Constitutional Amendment) Removes mandatory judicial retirement age. Approved by House Judiciary Committee 4/14/14.

Louisiana HB 989 Removes the mandatory retirement age for justices of the peace Approved by House Judiciary Committee 4/14/14

Rule Making Authority: Newly Introduced

NONE

Rule Making Authority: Floor and Committee Activity

Kentucky SB 157 AS APPROVED BY SENATE: Requests that the Supreme Court establish a pilot project to permit participating courts to make specified juvenile proceedings presumptively open to the public, establish guidelines, and provide a mechanism for a participating court to close a specific hearing upon a finding of cause. Authorizes pilot projects to be established by the Chief Justice except prohibits a pilot project from being established in a judicial circuit or judicial district or division thereof where the local judge or county attorney objects. AS AMENDED BY ON HOUSE FLOOR: Removes dependency, neglect, and abuse cases and termination of parental rights cases from pilot project. Limits open juvenile criminal proceedings to those which are class A or B felonies. Limits criteria by which AOC monitors and evaluates the pilot program to rates of recidivism and quality of child protection outcomes. Lists statistical measures for evaluating pilot program. Keeps proceedings that were initiated prior to pilot closed. Provides counsel is required to move for closure of proceedings included in pilot. House floor amendments approved 4/15/14.

Salary and Budget: Newly Introduced

NONE

Salary and Budget: Floor and Committee Activity

Colorado HB 1096 Creates the underfunded courthouse facility cash fund commission and the underfunded courthouse facility cash fund and appropriates $1.5 million for the fund. Commission to grant money from fund for master planning services for construction or remodeling projects, to seek matching funds or leveraging opportunities for construction or remodeling projects, and to address emergency needs due to the imminent closure of a court facility. Approved by full House 4/15/14.

Maine SB 263 ORIGINAL: Implements recommendations of the Judicial Compensation Commission. AS AMENDED: Replaces the Judicial Compensation Commission’s recommendations with a 2% adjustment for fiscal year 2014-15, in addition to the 3% adjustments for fiscal year 2013-14 and 2014-15 previously enacted. Approved as amended by full Senate 4/17/14. To Governor for approval.

New Hampshire SB 264 Requires the election of benefits by certain members of the judicial retirement plan. Approved by House Executive Departments and Administration Committee 4/17/14.

Selection: Newly Introduced

NONE

Selection: Floor and Committee Activity

NONE

Structure Changes: Newly Introduced

Pennsylvania HB 2180 Permits establishment of veterans courts. In House Judiciary Committee.

Structure Changes: Floor and Committee Activity

Missouri SB 614 Deletes references to defunct offices of Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Commissioners. Approved by House Judiciary Committee 4/16/14.

Missouri SB 621 Reduced number of meetings of the state judicial conference to every two years (currently annual). Adds specific cross-references in law for comprehensive analysis of judicial resources. Approved by House Judiciary Committee 4/16/14.

Other: Newly Introduced

NONE

Other: Floor and Committee Activity

Arizona SB 1266 Allows an elected or appointed judicial officer, under certain conditions, to carry a deadly weapon in the court facility where the judicial officer works. Approved as amended by full House 4/15/14. To Senate to concur with House amendment.

Louisiana SB 606 Provides that the various courts shall provide by court rule for the method of electronic signature to be used and to ensure the authenticity of the electronic signature. Repeals law prohibiting electronic signatures relating to court orders or notices, or official court documents, including briefs, pleadings, and other writings, required to be executed in connection with court proceedings. Approved by Senate Judiciary A Committee 4/15/14.

Missouri HB 1412 Specifies that it shall be a crime to intentionally file a fraudulent financing statement or any financing statement against a judge or other person with the Secretary of State with the intent to harass or defraud any other person. Approved by Senate Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee 4/16/14.

New Hampshire HB 1122 ORIGINAL: Creates crime of filing false lien statements against judges, other public officials, and employees. AMENDED: Same, but provides where registrar believes lien is fraudulent document to be sent to county attorney or attorney general for review. Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee 4/16/14.

New Hampshire SB 263 Allows state court judges to solemnize marriages. Approved by full House 4/16/14.