The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1110 on magistrates sponsored by Sen. Steele and Sen. Grooms. Author Rep. Stemler introduced the bill stating the bill began as a request for a magistrate in Clark County but has been expanded to include all requests for magistrate positions this session. Magistrate positions included in this bill are in Clark, Greene, Madison, Marion, Porter and Vanderburgh counties. Each of these proposals was approved by the Interim Study Committee on Courts and the Judiciary. Sen. Zakas introduced an amendment, adopted by consent, adding two magistrate positions in St. Joseph County to the bill. Judges Oakes and Welch testified in support of the bill’s provision converting four commissioners to magistrates in Marion County after December 31, 2015. Also testifying in support of the bill were Judge Martin from Greene County and Judge Clem from Madison County. The amended bill passed 9-0 and will be recommitted to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Read the bill at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2015/house/1110.