Lawmakers Hear Conflicting Testimony on Bill to Make County Coroners Appointed

The committee heard extensive testimony on House Bill 2094, a measure that would require coroners and medical examiners in non-charter counties to be appointed rather than elected once current terms expire. Committee staff summarized the current statutory patchwork — elected coroners in counties in a specific population band, options in charter counties and use of appointed medical examiners in the largest counties — and said the bill would make appointment the default for non-charter counties.