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 annual salary rates to be paid the chief justice and justices of the supreme court, the chief judge and judges of the court of appeals, the chief judge of each judicial district, district and district associate judges, associate juvenile and associate probate judges, judicial magistrates, and senior judges. The new salary rates become effective for the pay period beginning June 25, 2021, and apply until otherwise provided by the general assembly. 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. The bill further provides that notwithstanding the requirement that a magistrate must be an attorney licensed to practice law in this state, if the county magistrate appointing commission of a county does not receive an application from a qualified attorney licensed to practice law in this state, the county magistrate appointing commission may republish notice of the vacancy to be filled and may consider the appointment of a person who is not an attorney licensed to practice law in this state.