SSB 1142

If a trial is moved to another county that is located in another judicial district or judicial election district, the judicial officers serving the judicial district or judicial election district receiving the case shall preside over the case. The bill permits a judicial officer to waive travel reimbursement for any travel outside the judicial officer’s county of residence to conduct official business. The bill allows a judicial officer to be placed on unpaid leave for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2019, and July 1, 2020, on any day a court employee is required to furlough. The bill provides that if a judicial officer is placed on unpaid leave, the salary of the judicial officer shall be reduced accordingly for the pay period in which the unpaid leave occurred. _____ provides that the judicial branch may use an amount equal to the aggregate amount of the salary reductions due to judicial officer unpaid leave for any purpose other than judicial salaries. The bill states legislative intent that the judicial branch utilize the Iowa communications network or other secure electronic communications in lieu of traveling. Current law provides that before December 1, the supreme court shall submit to the director of the department of management an estimate of the total expenditure requirements of the judicial branch and the director of the department of management shall submit this estimate received from the supreme court to the governor for inclusion without change in the governor’s proposed budget for the succeeding fiscal year. The bill provides that the portion of the estimated total expenditure requirements attributable to an increase of the salary rate for a judicial position, which are specified in the bill, shall not be included in the governor’s proposed budget.