Senate committee gives due-pass to bill adding judgeship in First Judicial District

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday recommended Senate Bill 35 for finance committee consideration after hearing a brief presentation that the First Judicial District needs one additional judgeship.

Senator Trujillo, the bill sponsor, told members the proposal is narrow: "All we're doing is creating 1 more judgeship in the 1st Judicial District." Chief Judge Beechai appeared with the sponsor and described the unified budget process and objective caseload metrics that weighed the need for the new seat.

Judge Beechai said caseload analysis considers both the number and complexity of cases, noting some matters require a “heavy judicial lift.” He described an example civil trial scheduled for several weeks with dozens of lawyers and jurors in the courtroom and said the district had prepared for prolonged proceedings. He added that the judiciary presents a unified funding request so the branch can prioritize resources across districts.

Committee members asked how an appointed judge would be selected. The committee heard that the judgeship will be created and, within 30 days, the judicial nominating commission will meet to select nominees for gubernatorial appointment; after serving, the new judge will stand for election following the timeline set by recent legislative changes that lengthened the period before an appointed judge must run for office.

David Sanchez, a rancher and county resident who had registered in opposition, used his time to raise separate concerns about selective case assignment in the First Judicial District and said he filed records requests and a complaint related to assignment practices; committee members did not amend the bill in response to that testimony.

Senator Dewey moved a due-pass recommendation on SB35, and with no objections the chair announced the bill had received a due-pass to finance committee.

SB35 will proceed to the finance committee for further fiscal review and consideration.