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Superior‑court judges report turnover, 1,500 average active caseload and opt‑in payroll decisions as HB85 goes into effect
Summary
Judges told the Appropriations subcommittee they face retention challenges and uneven caseloads (roughly 1,500 active cases per judge on average); 161 judges had opted into the new HB85 pay structure by the hearing, and the council requested more senior‑judge days and funding to replace ARPA support for conflict representation.
Superior‑court leadership told the House Appropriations subcommittee on Dec. 18 that while judge turnover is low, other court staff experience higher churn, caseloads vary widely across circuits and the legislature’s compensation changes are prompting a wave of opt‑in decisions.
“We have had 1 death and 3 resignations with a turnover percentage rate of 1.8,” Judge Andrew Hightower said, reporting judge turnover figures for 2025. He also said judicial assistants had 17 resignations (about a 10% turnover rate) and that law clerk positions had 31 resignations with roughly 16 vacancies (about a 25% vacancy/turnover ratio).
Caseloads and scheduling:…
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