The House Ways and Means Committee heard HB 1144 on courts and court officers authored by Rep. Jeter. The bill adds two superior courts to Hamilton County and allows the judges of Hamilton circuit and superior courts to jointly appoint two additional magistrates to serve the Hamilton County courts.
The bill was amended by consent to do the following:
- add provisions from HB 1319 allowing the judges of Elkhart circuit and superior court to appoint five full-time magistrates; and
- add provisions from HB 1543 allowing the judges of the Vigo circuit and superior courts to jointly appoint one magistrate to serve the Vigo County courts.
The amended bill passed 22-0.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/house/1144