SB 534 -- MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGES

SPONSOR:  Bartle (Pratt)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Judiciary
by a vote of 9 to 1.

This bill modifies the procedures for replacing a municipal judge
in the event of an absence, illness, or disqualification.  For
municipal courts with more than one judge, the presiding judge of
the municipal court may request the presiding judge of the
circuit court to designate a special municipal judge until the
absence ceases or designate a procedure where the municipal court
administrator or court clerk may request the presiding judge of
the circuit court to designate a special municipal judge.

In the absence of multiple judges or a written procedure, the
mayor or chairman of the board of trustees may make a request to
the presiding judge of the circuit court.  If it is impossible
for the mayor or chairman to reach the presiding judge, the mayor
or the chairman may designate a special municipal judge until the
presiding judge of the circuit court can designate a special
municipal judge.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2006, FY 2007, and
FY 2008.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that it is currently unclear what
happens when a municipal judge is sick or absent.  The bill
specifies what will happen when a municipal court judge is sick
or absent and provides for the appointment of a special municipal
court judge.

Testifying for the bill was Senator Bartle.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Amy Woods, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:21 pm