Subcommittee backs multiple judgeship bills, including Court of Appeals expansion
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Summary
The subcommittee voted unanimously to report and refer a block of judgeship bills (HB 443 incorporating HB 46 and HB 194) and HB 1485, which increases Court of Appeals seats from 17 to 21, revises en banc rules and allows summary affirmances; both measures were reported to appropriations after amendments.
The House Courts Subcommittee on Criminal Law forwarded multiple measures aimed at expanding judicial capacity and streamlining appellate procedure.
HB 443, presented as a committee recommendation, incorporated HB 46 (Reid) and HB 194 (McQuinn) and would add judges across juvenile and domestic relations (JDR), general district, and circuit courts in several circuits. The committee adopted the incorporation motions and reported the substitute to appropriations by a 9-0 roll call.
Sponsor discussion emphasized docket imbalances and access to speedy trials. Delegate Reid noted the twentieth circuit's rapid population growth and lengthy docket delays of '15 to 23 months' in some cases, arguing an additional circuit judge would reduce delays and restore a reasonable time to decision.
Separately, HB 1485 would increase the Court of Appeals from 17 to 21 judges, require the court to sit en banc with no fewer than 13 judges, and authorize summary affirmances in certain civil cases. The sponsor provided workload statistics showing increases in filings (2,232 new cases in 2025, civil cases and domestic relations up over the three‑year average) and argued that additional judges and staffing will reduce time to decision. The effective date was amended to September 2026 to allow integration of new judges for 2027 operations. The amended bill was reported and referred to appropriations by a 10-0 vote.
What happens next: Both measures were reported to appropriations for fiscal review; sponsors said they will continue working with the courts to implement the additions if the General Assembly approves final passage.
