The Senate Judiciary Committee also heard SB 71 concerning St. Joseph County magistrates authored and presented by Sen. Zakas. He reported that this bill would not be heard in Appropriations, but the other provisions in the bill were still necessary. The amendments adopted by consent would provide that the probate court cannot consider political affiliation in appointing magistrates and provides that the chair for the local nominating commission is the chief judge of the superior court in place of the Chief Justice’s appointment of the commission chair. The bill passed as amended 7-1.
Read the bill at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2015/bills/senate/71.