IA
Iowa Senate Bill SSB1120

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SSB1120

Introduced
2/1/23  
Introduced
2/1/23  

Caption

A bill for an act concerning judicial branch administration, including mental health advocates, access to and confidentiality of certain department of revenue taxpayer information for jury list compilation, contracting authority, apportionment of district associate judges, remote testimony and video recordings, and access to criminal history records.(See SF 472, SF 2345.)

Impact

If enacted, SSB1120 will significantly alter how the judicial branch interacts with specific administrative functions. The bill enables the state court administrator to use taxpayer information for jury selection while ensuring that personal financial details remain confidential. It also expands the definition of 'open court' to include remote testimonies, reflecting a shift towards accommodating technology within legal proceedings. Regarding judges, the new apportionment method may lead to a reallocation of judicial resources, potentially resulting in fewer judges in certain districts where the workload does not justify current numbers.

Summary

Senate Study Bill 1120 (SSB1120) seeks to amend various aspects of judicial branch administration in Iowa. Key provisions of the bill include adjustments to the processes involving mental health advocates, the handling and confidentiality of taxpayer information for jury lists, contracting authority for the state court administrator, the apportionment of district associate judges based on workload rather than population, and the incorporation of remote testimony and video recordings into courtroom procedures. This focuses on modernizing the judiciary's operational framework and improving efficiency.

Contention

Some points of contention regarding SSB1120 may arise from its impacts on privacy, oversight, and the judicial appointment process. Critics could express concerns about the confidentiality of taxpayer information and the potential misuse of data in judicial processes. The change to appoint associate judges based on a weighted workload may also lead to debates about access to justice and the adequacy of resources in less populated areas. The push for remote testimony could challenge traditional judicial practices, raising questions about due process and the integrity of court proceedings.

Latest SSB1120 Activity

Companion Bills

IA HSB141

Related A bill for an act concerning judicial branch administration, including mental health advocates, access to and confidentiality of certain department of revenue taxpayer information for jury list compilation, contracting authority, apportionment of district associate judges, remote testimony and video recordings, and access to criminal history records.(See HF 468, HF 2247.)

IA HF468

Replaced by A bill for an act concerning judicial branch administration, including mental health advocates, access to and confidentiality of juror information, contracting authority, apportionment of district associate judges, remote testimony and video recordings, and access to criminal history records.(Formerly HSB 141; See HF 2247.)

IA SF472

Replaced by A bill for an act concerning judicial branch administration, including mental health advocates, access to and confidentiality of juror information, contracting authority, apportionment of district associate judges, remote testimony and video recordings, and access to criminal history records.(Formerly SSB 1120; See SF 2345.)

IA HF2247

Replaced by A bill for an act concerning judicial branch administration, including mental health advocates, access to and confidentiality of juror information, remote testimony, and access to criminal history records. (Formerly HF 468, HSB 141.) Effective date: 07/01/2024.

IA SF2345

Replaced by A bill for an act concerning judicial branch administration, including mental health advocates, access to and confidentiality of juror information, remote testimony, and access to criminal history records.(Formerly SF 472, SSB 1120.)

Similar Bills

IA SF472

A bill for an act concerning judicial branch administration, including mental health advocates, access to and confidentiality of juror information, contracting authority, apportionment of district associate judges, remote testimony and video recordings, and access to criminal history records.(Formerly SSB 1120; See SF 2345.)

IA HF468

A bill for an act concerning judicial branch administration, including mental health advocates, access to and confidentiality of juror information, contracting authority, apportionment of district associate judges, remote testimony and video recordings, and access to criminal history records.(Formerly HSB 141; See HF 2247.)

IA HSB141

A bill for an act concerning judicial branch administration, including mental health advocates, access to and confidentiality of certain department of revenue taxpayer information for jury list compilation, contracting authority, apportionment of district associate judges, remote testimony and video recordings, and access to criminal history records.(See HF 468, HF 2247.)

IA HSB250

A bill for an act relating to the judicial branch, including appropriations to the judicial branch, apportionment of district associate judges, video recordings, noncontract attorney appointment, and contracting authority.(See HF 728.)

IA HF728

A bill for an act relating to the judicial branch, including appropriations to the judicial branch, apportionment of district associate judges, video recordings, noncontract attorney appointment, and contracting authority.(Formerly HSB 250.)

IA SF563

A bill for an act relating to the judicial branch, including appropriations to the judicial branch, apportionment of district associate judges, video recordings, noncontract attorney appointment, and contracting authority. (Formerly SSB 1215.) Effective date: 07/01/2023.

OK HB4118

Courts; court reporter salaries; secretary-bailiff salaries; effective date; emergency.

OK HB1396

Court reporters; salaries; modifying definition; authorizing payment of annual equipment allowance to certain official court reporters; effective date; emergency.