Judicial workload prompts requests for two new judgeships; committee also backs printing bar‑fee RS

The Idaho Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee voted to print two legislative requests to create district judge positions and to send an administrative rules substitute (RS) that would raise Idaho State Bar license fees to print for further consideration.

Jason Spellman, legal counsel to the Administrative Office of the Courts at the Idaho Supreme Court, told the committee that population growth and heavy caseloads are driving requests for two new judgeships. RS 31981 would create a district judge position chambered in Kootenai County (First Judicial District). Spellman said the First District covers Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone and Benewah counties and currently has seven district judges; the proposed position aims to reduce the frequency with which judges from outside Kootenai travel into the county "for a week or more each month" to keep cases moving.

RS 31982 would create a district judge position chambered in Bonneville County in the Seventh Judicial District, which Spellman described as the state's largest geographic district (about 20,000 square miles) spanning 10 counties and currently staffed by six district judges. Spellman said judges there spend an "inordinate amount of time" in travel between courthouses, reducing time for hearings, research and decisions.

Both RSs were moved and approved for print by the committee. Sen. Wintrow moved to send RS 31,981 to print; Sen. Ricks seconded and the motion carried by voice vote. Sen. Ricks then moved RS 31,982 to print; Sen. Wintrow seconded and the motion carried by voice vote.

The committee also considered RS 32049, a drafting change that would increase Idaho State Bar license fees. Sen. Todd Lakey, who said he worked with the Idaho State Bar on the measure, told the committee that bar license fees have not increased since 2011 and that the proposed annual increases would range from $15 to $60 depending on attorney category. Sen. John Foreman moved to send RS 32049 to print; the motion carried by voice vote.

Earlier in the meeting the committee approved minutes from Jan. 15, 2025. Sen. Foreman moved to approve the minutes and the motion carried. The chair also introduced a gubernatorial appointment: the committee met remotely with an appointee identified in committee remarks as Ms. Giesel; the appointee introduced herself on the record as a licensed clinical professional counselor based in Nampa and said she plans to attend future meetings. The committee did not take a confirmation vote on the appointment at this meeting; the chair said votes on gubernatorial appointments are typically held at the following meeting.

The RSs sent to print will return to the committee for merits hearings and further debate as the Legislature continues its session.