The Senate Courts of Justice Committee took its first formal action of the session by certifying a block of judges and magistrates nominated for reappointment.

Committee members said the candidates had been interviewed on Dec. 13 by the Joint Courts Committee. The chair asked whether any member wished to remove a candidate from the block; Senator Deeds moved to remove Judge Gilbert Burger (Orange County) from the list. The motion to remove was agreed and then Senator Deeds moved to certify the remaining judges in the block; the committee took a voice vote and certified the candidates unanimously.

Committee members also noted the schedule for retired judges and other evaluations to be taken up later in the session, and counsel said abbreviated judicial performance evaluations for retired judges would be handled at a later date.