Relating to appropriations to the judicial branch

This bill makes appropriations to the judicial branch.1302(3) for certain purposes. 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, 2021, 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 provides the salary rates for the chief justice and each justice of the supreme court. The bill provides that the supreme court shall set the salary rates for certain positions in the judicial branch for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2021, and ending June 30, 2024. The bill provides that a magistrate not admitted to practice law in the state but who is holding office on April 1, 2009, is eligible to be reappointed as a magistrate in the same county for a term commencing August 1, 2009, and for subsequent successive terms.