Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Judicial Redistricting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee adopts amendment to clean up judicial redistricting bill and resets qualifying deadlines
Summary
The committee considered House Bill 580, a cleanup bill arising from judicial redistricting, adopted an amendment striking section 5 to set qualifying deadlines shortly after the governor signs the bill, and moved the bill toward the governor with the amendment in place.
Senator Simmons explained the house-transmitted HB 580 is a cleanup for judicial redistricting in the 4th and 7th circuits. The proposed amendment would strike section 5 and set a qualifying deadline seven days (later amended to five days) after the governor signs the bill to avoid reopening the standard qualifying period and to prevent already-qualified judges from being placed back on a longer schedule.
Committee members asked about overlapping precincts and whether some voters would effectively vote for two judges in different subdistricts; the chair said the house considered that concern and was advised it did not raise a constitutional one for judicial redistricting. The committee adopted the amendment and then moved the bill forward with the amendment as adopted.
