The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1313 concerning court matters authored by Rep. J. Young. The bill amends the magistrate statutes to provide magistrates have the same powers as judges, except judicial mandate, sunsets the judicial technology oversight committee (JTOC), and increases the small claims jurisdictional limit to $8,000.
The bill was amended by consent to amend statutes regarding the divisions of Marion County courts and the location for holding court sessions. Justice Steven David testified in support of the provisions related to JTOC, and Judge Heather Welch testified on behalf of Indiana Judges Association and Marion County Executive Committee on the other provisions of the bill. The amended bill passed 11-0.
Read the bill at: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2020/bills/house/1313