The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1043 authored by Rep. Leonard regarding Huntington County magistrate. This bill provides for a full-time magistrate in Huntington County. Currently, there are two judges and a part-time referee in the county.
Judge Davin Smith, Huntington County Circuit Court, testified in support of the bill.
The bill was amended by consent to add a magistrate in Decatur County. Judge Matthew Bailey, Decatur Superior Court, testified in support of the amendment. Additionally, the bill was amended to strike the language in Indiana Code that allows Delaware County to have a sixth (6th) court. The Delaware County Council, due to funding is opposed to adding an additional court. Rep. Prescott testified in support of the amendment.
The amended bill passed 11-0.
Read the bill at: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2021/bills/house/1043