Committee approves bill to add circuit judgeship in 19th Judicial District West

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to report Senate Bill 234 do pass after testimony that a new judgeship is needed in the Nineteenth Judicial District West to address increased filings.

Representative Carol Dalby identified herself as the House sponsor of Senate Bill 234 and said population and filings in northwest Arkansas had risen, prompting the Judicial Resource and Assessment Committee to recommend an additional judgeship. "They are requesting that a new judgeship be established in that area to help with the caseload," she said.

Ben County Circuit Judge Tom Smith, who testified as the administrative judge for the Nineteenth Judicial District West, said local officials and courts had coordinated on the request. He told the committee the election for the judgeship and the date the position would be filled were scheduled but the transcript records the dates unclearly; Judge Smith said, as recorded, that the election "would be in 02/1926" and the new judge "would actually not take the position until 02/1927." He also said courtrooms are being built in anticipation of the position.

No committee questions were raised that altered the request, and no public opponents were recorded. The committee moved to report the bill do pass; the chair announced the motion carried after a voice vote.

The measure, as presented to the committee, would authorize establishment of one additional circuit judgeship in the identified judicial district; election method, statutory language, and implementation details were described as consistent with existing judicial qualification and election procedures.