SSB 1254

This bill makes appropriations to the judicial branch. The bill appropriates from the general fund of the state for FY 2019-2020 to the judicial branch for salaries, maintenance, equipment, and miscellaneous purposes. The bill provides that the offices of the clerks of the district court shall operate in all counties and be accessible to the public as much as is reasonably possible in order to address the relative needs of the citizens of each county. The bill provides that at minimum, an office of the clerk of the district court shall be open to the public for at least the same hours as other county offices in their respective counties. _____ with the county office that is open the greatest number of hours. The bill provides that a civil trial including a jury trial may take place in a county contiguous to the county with proper jurisdiction, even if the contiguous county is located in an adjacent judicial district or judicial election district, if all the parties in a case agree. 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 year beginning July 1, 2019, 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. Through the course of the fiscal year, the bill 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. The bill sets forth the salary rates for certain positions in the judicial branch for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019.