SSB 3153

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. _____ 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, 2022, 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. Currently, the department of management receives annual budgets of the legislative branch which are submitted to the governor for inclusion in the governor’s annual proposed budget. The bill eliminates the requirement that budgets approved by the legislative council be included in the governor’s proposed budget. The approved budgets must only be submitted to the governor. Currently, the department of management receives annual expenditure estimates from the judicial branch which are submitted to the governor for inclusion in the governor’s annual proposed budget. The bill eliminates the requirement that the estimates be included in the governor’s budget. The estimates must only be submitted to the governor.