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Panel endorses converting 10 at‑large judgeships to resident seats in judiciary realignment
Summary
H.4160, a judiciary realignment measure requested by the chief justice, received a favorable report after the committee amendment increased the number of at‑large seats to convert from five to ten; no new judgeships are created.
The Judiciary Committee voted to give H.4160 a favorable report as amended, a bill requested by Chief Justice Kittredge to convert a number of at‑large circuit judgeships to resident seats.
Representative Jordan, presenting the measure, said the bill does not create any new judgeships but reassigns existing at‑large seats: the filed bill would convert five at‑large seats to resident seats; the committee amendment increased the number to 10, leaving six at‑large seats remaining in the system. Factors used to select which seats to convert included circuit caseload and population growth, whether the sitting judge was already serving the circuit in question, and a desire to ensure rural areas have fair opportunity for representation on the bench.
Representative Robbins asked how other requests for conversions would be handled; Jordan said the chief justice and court administrators are open to continued conversations and that the bill is intended to start a broader realignment discussion rather than finish it.
The committee approved the amendment and gave H.4160 a favorable report by roll call: 23 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 not voting. The measure advances to the full House Judiciary Committee.
