Indiana 2025 Regular Session

Indiana House Bill HB1144 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
	1	+	EH1144.3
	2	+	Reprinted
	3	+	April 15, 2025
	4	+	ENGROSSED
	5	+	HOUSE BILL No. 1144
	6	+	_____
	7	+	DIGEST OF HB 1144 (Updated April 14, 2025 9:04 pm - DI 92)
	8	+	Citations Affected: IC 31-31; IC 33-33.
	9	+	Synopsis: Courts and court officers. Provides that the judges of the
	10	+	Marion County juvenile courts may not appoint more than 11
	11	+	magistrates. Abolishes certain judgeships. Allows the judges of the
	12	+	Elkhart circuit and superior courts to appoint five full-time magistrates.
	13	+	(Current law allows for the appointment of two magistrates.) Adds two
	14	+	superior courts to Hamilton County. Provides that the first judges of
	15	+	Hamilton superior courts No. 8 and No. 9 shall: (1) be elected at the
	16	+	November 2026 general election; (2) take office January 1, 2027; and
	17	+	(3) serve a term of six years. Allows the judges of the Hamilton circuit
	18	+	and superior courts to jointly appoint two additional magistrates to
	19	+	serve the Hamilton County courts. Allows the judge of the Lawrence
	20	+	County juvenile court to appoint not more than one full-time
	21	+	magistrate. Allows the judges of the Vigo circuit and superior courts to
	22	+	jointly appoint one magistrate to serve the Vigo County courts.
	23	+	Effective: July 1, 2025.
	24	+	Jeter, Pfaff, Wesco, Lopez
	25	+	(SENATE SPONSORS — BROWN L, KOCH, ROGERS, GOODE,
	26	+	RANDOLPH LONNIE M)
	27	+	January 8, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal Code.
	28	+	January 21, 2025, reported — Do Pass. Referred to Committee on Ways and Means
	29	+	pursuant to Rule 126.3.
	30	+	February 6, 2025, amended, reported — Do Pass.
	31	+	February 10, 2025, read second time, ordered engrossed.
	32	+	February 11, 2025, engrossed. Read third time, passed. Yeas 91, nays 0.
	33	+	SENATE ACTION
	34	+	March 3, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Judiciary.
	35	+	March 27, 2025, amended, reported favorably — Do Pass; reassigned to Committee on
	36	+	Appropriations.
	37	+	April 10, 2025, amended, reported favorably — Do Pass.
	38	+	April 14, 2025, read second time, amended, ordered engrossed.
	39	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 Reprinted
	40	+	April 15, 2025
1	41		First Regular Session of the 124th General Assembly (2025)
2	42		PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
3	43		Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type,
4	44		additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
5	45		Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional
6	46		provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the
7	47		word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds
8	48		a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
9	49		Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts
10	50		between statutes enacted by the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
11		-	HOUSE ENROLLED ACT No. 1144
12		-	AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning courts and court
13		-	officers.
	51	+	ENGROSSED
	52	+	HOUSE BILL No. 1144
	53	+	A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
	54	+	courts and court officers and to make an appropriation.
14	55		Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
15		-	SECTION 1. IC 31-31-3-2, AS AMENDED BY P.L.113-2014,
16		-	SECTION 119, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS
17		-	[EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) Except as provided in
18		-	subsection (b), or (c), or (d) after June 30, 2014, the judge of the
19		-	juvenile court may appoint not more than one (1) full-time magistrate
20		-	under IC 33-23-5.
21		-	(b) The judge of the juvenile court may appoint more than one (1)
22		-	full-time magistrate only if the appointment of an additional magistrate
23		-	is expressly authorized by the general assembly.
24		-	(c) Except as provided in subsection (d), if the judge of the
25		-	juvenile court appointed one (1) or more full-time magistrates under
26		-	this section before July 1, 2014, the judge may continue to appoint or
27		-	reappoint a full-time magistrate to each of those positions after June 30,
28		-	2014.
29		-	(d) The judges of the Marion County juvenile courts may
30		-	appoint not more than eleven (11) full-time magistrates under
	56	+	1 SECTION 1. IC 31-31-3-2, AS AMENDED BY P.L.113-2014,
	57	+	2 SECTION 119, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS
	58	+	3 [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) Except as provided in
	59	+	4 subsection (b), or (c), or (d) after June 30, 2014, the judge of the
	60	+	5 juvenile court may appoint not more than one (1) full-time magistrate
	61	+	6 under IC 33-23-5.
	62	+	7 (b) The judge of the juvenile court may appoint more than one (1)
	63	+	8 full-time magistrate only if the appointment of an additional magistrate
	64	+	9 is expressly authorized by the general assembly.
	65	+	10 (c) Except as provided in subsection (d), if the judge of the
	66	+	11 juvenile court appointed one (1) or more full-time magistrates under
	67	+	12 this section before July 1, 2014, the judge may continue to appoint or
	68	+	13 reappoint a full-time magistrate to each of those positions after June 30,
	69	+	14 2014.
	70	+	15 (d) The judges of the Marion County juvenile courts may
	71	+	16 appoint not more than eleven (11) full-time magistrates under
	72	+	17 IC 33-23-5.
	73	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 2
	74	+	1 SECTION 2. IC 33-33-0.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
	75	+	2 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	76	+	3 JULY 1, 2025]:
	77	+	4 Chapter 0.5. Transitional Procedures
	78	+	5 Sec. 1. This chapter applies when a circuit or superior court is
	79	+	6 abolished under this article.
	80	+	7 Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "abolished court" means a court
	81	+	8 abolished under this article.
	82	+	9 Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "abolition date" means the date
	83	+	10 a court is abolished under this article.
	84	+	11 Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "court" means a circuit or
	85	+	12 superior court.
	86	+	13 Sec. 5. As used in this chapter, "remaining court" means the one
	87	+	14 (1) or more courts that continue to exist in a judicial circuit after
	88	+	15 the abolition of a court in that judicial circuit under this article.
	89	+	16 Sec. 6. On the abolition date, the following apply:
	90	+	17 (1) The employment of a person employed solely by the
	91	+	18 abolished court is terminated by operation of law. This
	92	+	19 subdivision does not prevent the person from being
	93	+	20 transferred to or employed by another court.
	94	+	21 (2) A person who is jointly employed by two (2) or more
	95	+	22 courts remains an employee of the remaining courts.
	96	+	23 Sec. 7. (a) This section applies if, on the abolition date, there is
	97	+	24 only one (1) remaining court.
	98	+	25 (b) On the abolition date, all agreements and liabilities of the
	99	+	26 abolished court are transferred to the remaining court.
	100	+	27 (c) On the abolition date, all records and property of the
	101	+	28 abolished court, including appropriations and other funds under
	102	+	29 the control or supervision of the court, are transferred to the
	103	+	30 remaining court.
	104	+	31 (d) On the abolition date, any amounts owed to the abolished
	105	+	32 court before the abolition date are considered to be owed to the
	106	+	33 remaining court.
	107	+	34 (e) On and after the abolition date, any reference to the
	108	+	35 abolished court in a statute, rule, or other document is considered
	109	+	36 a reference to the remaining court.
	110	+	37 (f) On the abolition date, all proceedings pending before the
	111	+	38 abolished court are transferred to the remaining court.
	112	+	39 Sec. 8. (a) This section applies if, on the abolition date, there are
	113	+	40 two (2) or more remaining courts.
	114	+	41 (b) On the abolition date, all agreements and liabilities of the
	115	+	42 abolished court are transferred to the remaining courts in a
	116	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 3
	117	+	1 manner jointly determined by the remaining courts.
	118	+	2 (c) On the abolition date, all records and property of the
	119	+	3 abolished court, including appropriations and other funds under
	120	+	4 the control or supervision of the court, are transferred to the
	121	+	5 remaining courts in a manner jointly determined by the remaining
	122	+	6 courts.
	123	+	7 (d) On the abolition date, any amounts owed to the abolished
	124	+	8 court before the abolition date are considered to be owed to the
	125	+	9 remaining courts, in a manner jointly determined by the remaining
	126	+	10 courts.
	127	+	11 (e) On and after the abolition date, any reference to the
	128	+	12 abolished court in a statute, rule, or other document is considered
	129	+	13 a reference to a remaining court, as jointly determined by the
	130	+	14 remaining courts.
	131	+	15 (f) On the abolition date, all proceedings pending before the
	132	+	16 abolished court are transferred to the remaining courts in a
	133	+	17 manner jointly determined by the remaining courts.
	134	+	18 SECTION 3. IC 33-33-5-2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	135	+	19 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) There is
	136	+	20 established a court of record to be known as the Blackford superior
	137	+	21 court.
	138	+	22 (b) The Blackford superior court is a standard superior court as
	139	+	23 described in IC 33-29-1.
	140	+	24 (c) Blackford County comprises the judicial district of the court.
	141	+	25 (d) The Blackford superior court is abolished on December 31,
	142	+	26 2028.
	143	+	27 (e) This section expires January 1, 2029.
	144	+	28 SECTION 4. IC 33-33-5-3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	145	+	29 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. (a) The Blackford
	146	+	30 superior court has one (1) judge who shall hold sessions in the
	147	+	31 Blackford County courthouse in Hartford City or in any other places in
	148	+	32 the county as the Blackford County executive may provide.
	149	+	33 (b) The Blackford superior court is abolished on December 31,
	150	+	34 2028.
	151	+	35 (c) This section expires January 1, 2029.
	152	+	36 SECTION 5. IC 33-33-5-4 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	153	+	37 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 4. (a) In addition to a
	154	+	38 bailiff and an official court reporter for the court appointed under
	155	+	39 IC 33-29-1-5, the judge of the Blackford superior court may appoint a
	156	+	40 referee, commissioner, or other personnel as the judge considers
	157	+	41 necessary to facilitate and transact the business of the court. The salary
	158	+	42 of a referee, commissioner, or other person:
	159	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 4
	160	+	1 (1) shall be fixed in the same manner as the salaries of the
	161	+	2 personnel for the Blackford circuit court; and
	162	+	3 (2) shall be paid monthly out of the treasury of Blackford County
	163	+	4 as provided by law.
	164	+	5 (b) Personnel appointed under this section and IC 33-29-1-5
	165	+	6 continue in office until removed by the judge of the court.
	166	+	7 (c) The Blackford superior court is abolished on December 31,
	167	+	8 2028.
	168	+	9 (d) This section expires January 1, 2029.
	169	+	10 SECTION 6. IC 33-33-8-2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	170	+	11 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) There is
	171	+	12 established a court of record to be known as the Carroll superior court.
	172	+	13 (b) The Carroll superior court is a standard superior court as
	173	+	14 described in IC 33-29-1.
	174	+	15 (c) Carroll County comprises the judicial district of the superior
	175	+	16 court.
	176	+	17 (d) The Carroll superior court is abolished on December 31,
	177	+	18 2026.
	178	+	19 (e) This section expires January 1, 2027.
	179	+	20 SECTION 7. IC 33-33-8-3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	180	+	21 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. (a) The Carroll
	181	+	22 superior court has one (1) judge who shall hold sessions in the Carroll
	182	+	23 County courthouse in Delphi or in other places in the county as the
	183	+	24 Carroll County executive may provide.
	184	+	25 (b) The Carroll superior court is abolished on December 31,
	185	+	26 2026.
	186	+	27 (c) This section expires January 1, 2027.
	187	+	28 SECTION 8. IC 33-33-20-2, AS AMENDED BY P.L.1-2006,
	188	+	29 SECTION 503, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS
	189	+	30 [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) The judges of the Elkhart
	190	+	31 circuit and superior courts may jointly appoint two four (4) full-time
	191	+	32 magistrates under IC 33-23-5 to serve the circuit and superior courts.
	192	+	33 (b) A magistrate continues in office until removed by the judges of
	193	+	34 the circuit and superior courts.
	194	+	35 SECTION 9. IC 33-33-26-1, AS AMENDED BY P.L.138-2020,
	195	+	36 SECTION 19, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	196	+	37 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1. (a) Gibson County constitutes the sixty-sixth
	197	+	38 judicial circuit.
	198	+	39 (b) Except as provided in subsection (d), the judges of the Gibson
	199	+	40 superior court and Gibson circuit court may appoint one (1) full-time
	200	+	41 magistrate under IC 33-23-5 to serve both courts.
	201	+	42 (c) Except as provided in subsection (d), the magistrate continues
	202	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 5
	203	+	1 in office until removed by the judge of the Gibson superior court and
	204	+	2 the judge of the Gibson circuit court.
	205	+	3 (d) Beginning January 1, 2029, the circuit court judge may
	206	+	4 appoint and remove the magistrate.
	207	+	5 SECTION 10. IC 33-33-26-2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	208	+	6 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) There is
	209	+	7 established a court of record to be known as the Gibson superior court.
	210	+	8 (b) The Gibson superior court is a standard superior court as
	211	+	9 described in IC 33-29-1.
	212	+	10 (c) Gibson County comprises the judicial district of the court.
	213	+	11 (d) The Gibson superior court is abolished on December 31,
	214	+	12 2028.
	215	+	13 (e) This section expires January 1, 2029.
	216	+	14 SECTION 11. IC 33-33-26-3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	217	+	15 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. (a) The Gibson
	218	+	16 superior court has one (1) judge who shall hold sessions in:
	219	+	17 (1) the Gibson County courthouse in Princeton; or
	220	+	18 (2) other places in the county as the board of county
	221	+	19 commissioners of Gibson County may provide.
	222	+	20 (b) The Gibson superior court is abolished on December 31,
	223	+	21 2028.
	224	+	22 (c) This section expires January 1, 2029.
	225	+	23 SECTION 12. IC 33-33-28-1, AS AMENDED BY P.L.173-2015,
	226	+	24 SECTION 7, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	227	+	25 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1. (a) Greene County constitutes the sixty-third
	228	+	26 judicial circuit.
	229	+	27 (b) Except as provided in subsection (d), the judge of the Greene
	230	+	28 circuit court and the judge of the Greene superior court may jointly
	231	+	29 appoint one (1) full-time magistrate under IC 33-23-5 to serve the
	232	+	30 circuit and superior courts.
	233	+	31 (c) Except as provided in subsection (d), the magistrate continues
	234	+	32 in office until jointly removed by the judge of the Greene circuit court
	235	+	33 and the judge of the Greene superior court.
	236	+	34 (d) Beginning January 1, 2027, the circuit court judge may
	237	+	35 appoint and remove the magistrate.
	238	+	36 SECTION 13. IC 33-33-28-2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	239	+	37 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) There is
	240	+	38 established a court of record to be known as the Greene superior court.
	241	+	39 (b) The Greene superior court is a standard superior court as
	242	+	40 described in IC 33-29-1.
	243	+	41 (c) Greene County comprises the judicial district of the court.
	244	+	42 (d) The Greene superior court is abolished on December 31,
	245	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 6
	246	+	1 2026.
	247	+	2 (e) This section expires January 1, 2027.
	248	+	3 SECTION 14. IC 33-33-28-3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	249	+	4 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. (a) The Greene
	250	+	5 superior court has one (1) judge who shall hold sessions in:
	251	+	6 (1) the Greene County courthouse in Bloomfield; or
	252	+	7 (2) other places in the county as the Greene County executive may
	253	+	8 provide.
	254	+	9 (b) The Greene superior court is abolished on December 31,
	255	+	10 2026.
	256	+	11 (c) This section expires January 1, 2027.
	257	+	12 SECTION 15. IC 33-33-29-2, AS AMENDED BY P.L.123-2021,
	258	+	13 SECTION 4, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	259	+	14 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) There are established seven (7) nine (9)
	260	+	15 superior courts of record to be known as the:
	261	+	16 (1) Hamilton superior court No. 1;
	262	+	17 (2) Hamilton superior court No. 2;
	263	+	18 (3) Hamilton superior court No. 3;
	264	+	19 (4) Hamilton superior court No. 4;
	265	+	20 (5) Hamilton superior court No. 5;
	266	+	21 (6) Hamilton superior court No. 6; and
	267	+	22 (7) Hamilton superior court No. 7;
	268	+	23 (8) Hamilton superior court No. 8; and
	269	+	24 (9) Hamilton superior court No. 9.
	270	+	25 (b) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, each Hamilton
	271	+	26 superior court is a standard superior court as described in IC 33-29-1.
	272	+	27 (c) Hamilton County constitutes the judicial district of each court.
	273	+	28 SECTION 16. IC 33-33-29-2.3 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
	274	+	29 CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
	275	+	30 [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2.3. (a) Notwithstanding section
	276	+	31 2 of this chapter, Hamilton superior court No. 8 and Hamilton
	277	+	32 superior court No. 9 are established January 1, 2027.
	278	+	33 (b) The first judge of Hamilton superior court No. 8 and
	279	+	34 Hamilton superior court No. 9 shall:
	280	+	35 (1) be elected at the November 2026 general election;
	281	+	36 (2) take office January 1, 2027; and
	282	+	37 (3) serve a term of six (6) years.
	283	+	38 (c) This section expires January 1, 2033.
	284	+	39 SECTION 17. IC 33-33-29-6, AS AMENDED BY P.L.138-2020,
	285	+	40 SECTION 20, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	286	+	41 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 6. (a) The judge of the Hamilton circuit court and
	287	+	42 the judges of the Hamilton superior courts may jointly appoint four (4)
	288	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 7
	289	+	1 six (6) full-time magistrates under IC 33-23-5 to serve the circuit and
	290	+	2 superior courts.
	291	+	3 (b) A magistrate continues in office until jointly removed by the
	292	+	4 judge of the Hamilton circuit court and the judges of the Hamilton
	293	+	5 superior courts.
	294	+	6 SECTION 18. IC 33-33-40-1, AS AMENDED BY P.L.138-2020,
	295	+	7 SECTION 21, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	296	+	8 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1. (a) Jennings County constitutes the eighty-sixth
	297	+	9 judicial circuit.
	298	+	10 (b) The Jennings circuit court has a standard small claims and
	299	+	11 misdemeanor division.
	300	+	12 (c) Except as provided in subsection (e), the judge of the Jennings
	301	+	13 circuit court and the judge of the Jennings superior court may jointly
	302	+	14 appoint one (1) full-time magistrate under IC 33-23-5 to serve the
	303	+	15 circuit and superior courts.
	304	+	16 (d) Except as provided in subsection (e), a magistrate continues in
	305	+	17 office until jointly removed by the judge of the Jennings circuit court
	306	+	18 and the judge of the Jennings superior court.
	307	+	19 (e) Beginning January 1, 2027, the circuit court judge may
	308	+	20 appoint and remove the magistrate.
	309	+	21 SECTION 19. IC 33-33-40-2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	310	+	22 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) There is
	311	+	23 established a court of record to be known as the Jennings superior
	312	+	24 court.
	313	+	25 (b) The Jennings superior court is a standard superior court as
	314	+	26 described in IC 33-29-1.
	315	+	27 (c) Jennings County comprises the judicial district of the court.
	316	+	28 (d) The Jennings superior court is abolished on December 31,
	317	+	29 2026.
	318	+	30 (e) This section expires January 1, 2027.
	319	+	31 SECTION 20. IC 33-33-40-3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	320	+	32 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. (a) The Jennings
	321	+	33 superior court has one (1) judge who shall hold sessions in:
	322	+	34 (1) the Jennings County courthouse in Vernon; or
	323	+	35 (2) another place in the county as the Jennings County executive
	324	+	36 may provide.
	325	+	37 (b) The Jennings superior court is abolished on December 31,
	326	+	38 2026.
	327	+	39 (c) This section expires January 1, 2027.
	328	+	40 SECTION 21. IC 33-33-47-6 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	329	+	41 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 6. (a) In addition to the
	330	+	42 personnel appointed under IC 33-29-1-5, each judge may appoint
	331	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 8
	332	+	1 additional officers and personnel necessary for the proper
	333	+	2 administration of the judge's duties as judge of the Lawrence superior
	334	+	3 court.
	335	+	4 (b) The judge of the Lawrence County juvenile court may
	336	+	5 appoint not more than one (1) full-time magistrate under
	337	+	6 IC 33-23-5.
	338	+	7 SECTION 22. IC 33-33-53-1, AS AMENDED BY P.L.237-2005,
	339	+	8 SECTION 20, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	340	+	9 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1. (a) Monroe County constitutes the tenth judicial
	341	+	10 circuit.
	342	+	11 (b) There are nine (9) judges of the Monroe circuit court. This
	343	+	12 subsection expires December 31, 2026.
	344	+	13 (c) Except as provided in subsection (e), one (1) judgeship in
	345	+	14 Monroe County is abolished on December 31, 2026, as follows:
	346	+	15 (1) If one (1) judge has been appointed to fill a vacancy for a
	347	+	16 term that expires on December 31, 2026, the judgeship held by
	348	+	17 that judge is abolished.
	349	+	18 (2) If more than one (1) judge has been appointed to fill more
	350	+	19 than one (1) vacancy for a term that expires on December 31,
	351	+	20 2026, the judgeship held by the most recently appointed judge
	352	+	21 is abolished.
	353	+	22 (3) If no judge has been appointed to fill a vacancy for a term
	354	+	23 that expires on December 31, 2026, the judgeship held by the
	355	+	24 judge who received the fewest number of votes during the
	356	+	25 general election held in 2020 is abolished.
	357	+	26 (d) Beginning January 1, 2027, there are eight (8) judges of the
	358	+	27 Monroe circuit court.
	359	+	28 (e) The legislative body of the county may choose to abolish a
	360	+	29 different judgeship than prescribed by subsection (c) by adopting
	361	+	30 a resolution before January 1, 2026, designating which judgeship
	362	+	31 held by which judge will be abolished. The legislative body may
	363	+	32 only designate a judgeship held by a judge whose term expires on
	364	+	33 December 31, 2026. If the legislative body adopts a resolution as
	365	+	34 described in this subsection, the judgeship held by the judge named
	366	+	35 in the resolution is abolished on December 31, 2026.
	367	+	36 SECTION 23. IC 33-33-56-2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	368	+	37 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) There is
	369	+	38 established a court of record to be known as the Newton superior court.
	370	+	39 (b) The Newton superior court is a standard superior court as
	371	+	40 described in IC 33-29-1.
	372	+	41 (c) Newton County comprises the judicial district of the court.
	373	+	42 (d) The Newton superior court is abolished on December 31,
	374	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 9
	375	+	1 2030.
	376	+	2 (e) This section expires January 1, 2031.
	377	+	3 SECTION 24. IC 33-33-56-3, AS AMENDED BY P.L.201-2011,
	378	+	4 SECTION 81, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	379	+	5 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. (a) The Newton superior court has one (1)
	380	+	6 judge.
	381	+	7 (b) This section expires January 1, 2031.
	382	+	8 SECTION 25. IC 33-33-56-4 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	383	+	9 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 4. (a) The Newton
	384	+	10 superior court shall hold its sessions in:
	385	+	11 (1) the Newton County courthouse in Kentland; or
	386	+	12 (2) other places in the county as the board of county
	387	+	13 commissioners of Newton County may provide.
	388	+	14 (b) This section expires January 1, 2031.
	389	+	15 SECTION 26. IC 33-33-60-2, AS ADDED BY P.L.83-2013,
	390	+	16 SECTION 4, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	391	+	17 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) The Owen circuit court is a court of general
	392	+	18 jurisdiction with two (2) judges. The divisions of the circuit court shall
	393	+	19 be known as Owen circuit court No. 1 and Owen circuit court No. 2.
	394	+	20 Owen County constitutes the judicial district of the circuit court and
	395	+	21 each of the court's divisions. The circuit court shall maintain the
	396	+	22 following dockets:
	397	+	23 (1) A small claims and misdemeanor division under IC 33-28-3
	398	+	24 that has a:
	399	+	25 (A) small claims docket; and
	400	+	26 (B) minor offenses and violations docket.
	401	+	27 (2) Criminal.
	402	+	28 (3) Juvenile.
	403	+	29 (4) Civil.
	404	+	30 (5) Probate.
	405	+	31 (b) The assignment of judges of the circuit court to the dockets
	406	+	32 specified in subsection (a) must be by rule of the circuit court.
	407	+	33 (c) The Owen circuit court No. 2 is abolished December 31,
	408	+	34 2026.
	409	+	35 (d) This section expires January 1, 2027.
	410	+	36 SECTION 27. IC 33-33-60-2.1 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
	411	+	37 CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
	412	+	38 [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2.1. (a) This section is effective
	413	+	39 January 1, 2027.
	414	+	40 (b) The Owen circuit court is a court of general jurisdiction.
	415	+	41 Owen County constitutes the judicial district of the circuit court
	416	+	42 and each of the court's divisions. The circuit court shall maintain
	417	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 10
	418	+	1 the following dockets:
	419	+	2 (1) A small claims and misdemeanor division under
	420	+	3 IC 33-28-3 that has a:
	421	+	4 (A) small claims docket; and
	422	+	5 (B) minor offenses and violations docket.
	423	+	6 (2) Criminal.
	424	+	7 (3) Juvenile.
	425	+	8 (4) Civil.
	426	+	9 (5) Probate.
	427	+	10 SECTION 28. IC 33-33-60-3, AS ADDED BY P.L.83-2013,
	428	+	11 SECTION 5, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	429	+	12 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. (a) The judges of the Owen circuit court shall
	430	+	13 select from among themselves a presiding judge of the circuit court.
	431	+	14 (b) This section expires January 1, 2027.
	432	+	15 SECTION 29. IC 33-33-60-4, AS ADDED BY P.L.83-2013,
	433	+	16 SECTION 6, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	434	+	17 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 4. (a) When any action of the entire Owen circuit
	435	+	18 court is required, the judges of the circuit court shall act in concert. If
	436	+	19 the judges are evenly divided, the decision joined by the presiding
	437	+	20 judge controls.
	438	+	21 (b) This section expires January 1, 2027.
	439	+	22 SECTION 30. IC 33-33-60-5, AS ADDED BY P.L.83-2013,
	440	+	23 SECTION 7, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	441	+	24 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 5. (a) In accordance with rules adopted by the
	442	+	25 judges of the Owen circuit court under section 6 of this chapter, the
	443	+	26 presiding judge shall do the following:
	444	+	27 (1) Ensure that the circuit court operates efficiently and judicially.
	445	+	28 (2) Annually submit to the fiscal body of Owen County a budget
	446	+	29 for the circuit court, including amounts necessary for the
	447	+	30 following:
	448	+	31 (A) The operation of the circuit's probation department.
	449	+	32 (B) The defense of indigents.
	450	+	33 (C) Maintaining an adequate legal research facility.
	451	+	34 (3) Make the appointments or selections required of a circuit or
	452	+	35 superior court judge.
	453	+	36 (b) This section expires January 1, 2027.
	454	+	37 SECTION 31. IC 33-33-60-5.1 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
	455	+	38 CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
	456	+	39 [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 5.1. Beginning January 1, 2027,
	457	+	40 the circuit court judge shall do the following:
	458	+	41 (1) Ensure that the circuit court operates efficiently and
	459	+	42 judicially.
	460	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 11
	461	+	1 (2) Annually submit to the fiscal body of Owen County a
	462	+	2 budget for the circuit court, including amounts necessary for
	463	+	3 the following:
	464	+	4 (A) The operation of the circuit's probation department.
	465	+	5 (B) The defense of indigents.
	466	+	6 (C) Maintaining an adequate legal research facility.
	467	+	7 (3) Make the appointments or selections required of a circuit
	468	+	8 or superior court judge.
	469	+	9 SECTION 32. IC 33-33-60-6, AS AMENDED BY P.L.161-2018,
	470	+	10 SECTION 85, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	471	+	11 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 6. (a) The judges of the Owen circuit court shall
	472	+	12 adopt rules to provide for the administration of the circuit court,
	473	+	13 including rules governing the following:
	474	+	14 (1) Allocation of case load.
	475	+	15 (2) Legal representation for indigents.
	476	+	16 (3) Budgetary matters of the circuit court.
	477	+	17 (4) Operation of the probation department.
	478	+	18 (5) Term of administration of the presiding judge.
	479	+	19 (6) Employment and management of circuit court personnel.
	480	+	20 (7) Cooperative efforts with other courts for establishing and
	481	+	21 administering shared programs and facilities.
	482	+	22 (b) The Owen circuit court shall file with the office of judicial
	483	+	23 administration a copy of the rules adopted under this section.
	484	+	24 (c) This section expires January 1, 2027.
	485	+	25 SECTION 33. IC 33-33-60-6.1 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
	486	+	26 CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
	487	+	27 [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 6.1. (a) This section is effective
	488	+	28 January 1, 2027.
	489	+	29 (b) The circuit court judge shall adopt rules to provide for the
	490	+	30 administration of the circuit court, including rules governing the
	491	+	31 following:
	492	+	32 (1) Legal representation for indigents.
	493	+	33 (2) Budgetary matters of the circuit court.
	494	+	34 (3) Operation of the probation department.
	495	+	35 (4) Employment and management of circuit court personnel.
	496	+	36 (5) Cooperative efforts with other courts for establishing and
	497	+	37 administering shared programs and facilities.
	498	+	38 (c) The Owen circuit court shall file with the office of judicial
	499	+	39 administration a copy of the rules adopted under this section.
	500	+	40 SECTION 34. IC 33-33-60-7, AS ADDED BY P.L.83-2013,
	501	+	41 SECTION 9, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	502	+	42 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 7. (a) Each judge of the Owen circuit court may,
	503	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 12
	504	+	1 subject to the budget approved for the court by the fiscal body of Owen
	505	+	2 County, employ personnel necessary for the proper administration of
	506	+	3 the judge's docket.
	507	+	4 (b) Personnel employed under this section:
	508	+	5 (1) include court reporters, bailiffs, clerical staff, and any
	509	+	6 additional officers necessary for the proper administration of the
	510	+	7 circuit court; and
	511	+	8 (2) are subject to the rules concerning employment and
	512	+	9 management of circuit court personnel adopted by the Owen
	513	+	10 circuit court under section 6 of this chapter.
	514	+	11 (c) This section expires January 1, 2027.
	515	+	12 SECTION 35. IC 33-33-60-7.1 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
	516	+	13 CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
	517	+	14 [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 7.1. (a) This section is effective
	518	+	15 January 1, 2027.
	519	+	16 (b) The judge of the Owen circuit court may, subject to the
	520	+	17 budget approved for the court by the fiscal body of Owen County,
	521	+	18 employ personnel necessary for the proper administration of the
	522	+	19 judge's docket.
	523	+	20 (c) Personnel employed under this section:
	524	+	21 (1) include court reporters, bailiffs, clerical staff, and any
	525	+	22 additional officers necessary for the proper administration of
	526	+	23 the circuit court; and
	527	+	24 (2) are subject to the rules concerning employment and
	528	+	25 management of circuit court personnel adopted by the Owen
	529	+	26 circuit court under section 6.1 of this chapter.
	530	+	27 SECTION 36. IC 33-33-66-2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	531	+	28 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) There is
	532	+	29 established a court of record to be known as the Pulaski superior court.
	533	+	30 (b) The Pulaski superior court is a standard superior court as
	534	+	31 described in IC 33-29-1.
	535	+	32 (c) Pulaski County comprises the judicial district of the court.
	536	+	33 (d) The Pulaski superior court is abolished on December 31,
	537	+	34 2030.
	538	+	35 (e) This section expires January 1, 2031.
	539	+	36 SECTION 37. IC 33-33-66-3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	540	+	37 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. (a) The court has one
	541	+	38 (1) judge who shall hold sessions in:
	542	+	39 (1) the Pulaski County courthouse in Winamac; or
	543	+	40 (2) other places in the county that the Pulaski County executive
	544	+	41 provides.
	545	+	42 (b) This section expires January 1, 2031.
	546	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 13
	547	+	1 SECTION 38. IC 33-33-70-2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	548	+	2 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) There is
	549	+	3 established a court of record to be known as the Rush superior court.
	550	+	4 (b) The Rush superior court is a standard superior court as described
	551	+	5 in IC 33-29-1.
	552	+	6 (c) Rush County comprises the judicial district of the court.
	553	+	7 (d) The Rush superior court is abolished on December 31, 2026.
	554	+	8 (e) This section expires January 1, 2027.
	555	+	9 SECTION 39. IC 33-33-70-3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	556	+	10 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. (a) The Rush
	557	+	11 superior court has one (1) judge who shall hold sessions in:
	558	+	12 (1) the Rush County courthouse in Rushville; or
	559	+	13 (2) other places in the county that the Rush county executive
	560	+	14 provides.
	561	+	15 (b) This section expires January 1, 2027.
	562	+	16 SECTION 40. IC 33-33-72-1, AS AMENDED BY P.L.156-2018,
	563	+	17 SECTION 4, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	564	+	18 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1. (a) Scott County constitutes the sixth judicial
	565	+	19 circuit.
	566	+	20 (b) The judges of the Scott circuit court and Scott superior court
	567	+	21 may jointly appoint one (1) full-time magistrate under IC 33-23-5 to
	568	+	22 serve the circuit and superior courts.
	569	+	23 (c) The magistrate continues in office until removed by the judges
	570	+	24 of the Scott circuit and superior courts.
	571	+	25 (d) This section expires January 1, 2029.
	572	+	26 SECTION 41. IC 33-33-72-1.1 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
	573	+	27 CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
	574	+	28 [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1.1. (a) This section is effective
	575	+	29 January 1, 2029.
	576	+	30 (b) Scott County constitutes the sixth judicial circuit.
	577	+	31 (c) The judge of the Scott circuit court may appoint one (1)
	578	+	32 full-time magistrate under IC 33-23-5 to serve the circuit court.
	579	+	33 (d) The magistrate continues in office until removed by the
	580	+	34 judge of the Scott circuit court.
	581	+	35 SECTION 42. IC 33-33-72-2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	582	+	36 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) There is
	583	+	37 established a court of record to be known as the Scott superior court.
	584	+	38 (b) The Scott superior court is a standard superior court as described
	585	+	39 in IC 33-29-1.
	586	+	40 (c) Scott County comprises the judicial district of the court.
	587	+	41 (d) The Scott superior court is abolished on December 31, 2028.
	588	+	42 (e) This section expires January 1, 2029.
	589	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 14
	590	+	1 SECTION 43. IC 33-33-72-3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	591	+	2 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. (a) The Scott
	592	+	3 superior court has one (1) judge who shall hold sessions in Scottsburg.
	593	+	4 (b) This section expires January 1, 2029.
	594	+	5 SECTION 44. IC 33-33-84-22 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
	595	+	6 CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
	596	+	7 [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 22. (a) The judges of the Vigo
	597	+	8 circuit and superior courts may jointly appoint one (1) full-time
	598	+	9 magistrate under IC 33-23-5 to serve the circuit and superior
	599	+	10 courts.
	600	+	11 (b) The magistrate continues in office until removed by the
	601	+	12 judges of the Vigo circuit and superior courts.
	602	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 15
	603	+	COMMITTEE REPORT
	604	+	Mr. Speaker: Your Committee on Courts and Criminal Code, to
	605	+	which was referred House Bill 1144, has had the same under
	606	+	consideration and begs leave to report the same back to the House with
	607	+	the recommendation that said bill do pass.
	608	+	(Reference is to HB 1144 as introduced.)
	609	+	MCNAMARA
	610	+	Committee Vote: Yeas 13, Nays 0
	611	+	_____
	612	+	COMMITTEE REPORT
	613	+	Mr. Speaker: Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was
	614	+	referred House Bill 1144, has had the same under consideration and
	615	+	begs leave to report the same back to the House with the
	616	+	recommendation that said bill be amended as follows:
	617	+	Page 1, between the enacting clause and line 1, begin a new
	618	+	paragraph and insert:
	619	+	"SECTION 1. IC 33-33-20-2, AS AMENDED BY P.L.1-2006,
	620	+	SECTION 503, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS
	621	+	[EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) The judges of the Elkhart
	622	+	circuit and superior courts may jointly appoint two five (5) full-time
	623	+	magistrates under IC 33-23-5 to serve the circuit and superior courts.
	624	+	(b) A magistrate continues in office until removed by the judges of
	625	+	the circuit and superior courts.".
	626	+	Page 2, after line 19, begin a new paragraph and insert:
	627	+	"SECTION 5. IC 33-33-84-22 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
	628	+	CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
	629	+	[EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 22. (a) The judges of the Vigo
	630	+	circuit and superior courts may jointly appoint one (1) full-time
	631	+	magistrate under IC 33-23-5 to serve the circuit and superior
	632	+	courts.
	633	+	(b) The magistrate continues in office until removed by the
	634	+	judges of the Vigo circuit and superior courts.".
	635	+	Renumber all SECTIONS consecutively.
	636	+	and when so amended that said bill do pass.
	637	+	(Reference is to HB 1144 as printed January 21, 2025.)
	638	+	THOMPSON
	639	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 16
	640	+	Committee Vote: yeas 22, nays 0.
	641	+	_____
	642	+	COMMITTEE REPORT
	643	+	Mr. President: The Senate Committee on Judiciary, to which was
	644	+	referred House Bill No. 1144, has had the same under consideration
	645	+	and begs leave to report the same back to the Senate with the
	646	+	recommendation that said bill be AMENDED as follows:
	647	+	Delete the title and insert the following:
	648	+	A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
	649	+	courts and court officers and to make an appropriation.
	650	+	Page 1, between the enacting clause and line 1, begin a new
	651	+	paragraph and insert:
	652	+	"SECTION 1. IC 4-12-16.2-5, AS ADDED BY P.L.201-2023,
	653	+	SECTION 70, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	654	+	JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 5. The following accounts are established within
	655	+	the fund:
	656	+	(1) The state unrestricted opioid settlement account. The account
	657	+	consists of money distributed to the account under
	658	+	IC 4-6-15-4(a)(1) and any interest earnings that accrue to the fund
	659	+	under section 7 of this chapter. Expenditures from the account
	660	+	may be made only after appropriation of the money in the account
	661	+	by the general assembly. Money in the account must be used by
	662	+	the state for oversight and administration of programs for
	663	+	treatment, education, recovery, and prevention of opioid use
	664	+	disorder and any co-occurring substance use disorders or mental
	665	+	health issues. Money in the account may be used for the
	666	+	funding of family recovery courts under IC 33-23-16.5.
	667	+	(2) The state abatement opioid settlement account. The account
	668	+	consists of money distributed to the account under
	669	+	IC 4-6-15-4(a)(3) and the balance of any opioid litigation
	670	+	settlements remaining prior to the passage of P.L.72-2022. Money
	671	+	in the account is continuously appropriated to the office of the
	672	+	secretary of family and social services for treatment, education,
	673	+	recovery, and prevention programs for opioid use disorder and
	674	+	any co-occurring substance use disorder or mental health issues
	675	+	as defined or required by the settlement documents or court order.
	676	+	Before the funds received under this subdivision may be
	677	+	distributed, the office of the secretary of family and social
	678	+	services shall submit a distribution plan to the budget committee
	679	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 17
	680	+	for review.
	681	+	SECTION 2. IC 33-23-16.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
	682	+	AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	683	+	JULY 1, 2025]:
	684	+	Chapter 16.5. Family Recovery Court Fund
	685	+	Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "family recovery court" means
	686	+	a court that:
	687	+	(1) targets cases of abuse or neglect wherein a parent or
	688	+	primary caregiver suffers from a substance use disorder or
	689	+	co-occurring disorders; and
	690	+	(2) is certified as a problem solving court under
	691	+	IC 33-23-16-17 by the office of judicial administration.
	692	+	Sec. 2. The family recovery court fund is established to carry
	693	+	out the purpose of funding family recovery courts.
	694	+	Sec. 3. The office of judicial administration shall administer the
	695	+	fund.
	696	+	Sec. 4. The expenses of administering the fund shall be paid
	697	+	from money in the fund.
	698	+	Sec. 5. The fund consists of the following:
	699	+	(1) Money appropriated by the general assembly from the
	700	+	state unrestricted opioid settlement account established under
	701	+	IC 4-12-16.2-5(1).
	702	+	(2) Donations, gifts, and money received from any other
	703	+	source, including transfers from other funds or accounts.
	704	+	Sec. 6. Money in the fund is continuously appropriated for the
	705	+	purpose of the fund.
	706	+	Sec. 7. The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the fund
	707	+	not currently needed to meet the obligations of the fund in the same
	708	+	manner as other public money may be invested. Interest that
	709	+	accrues from the investments shall be deposited in the fund.
	710	+	Sec. 8. Money in the fund at the end of a state fiscal year does
	711	+	not revert to the state general fund.
	712	+	SECTION 3. IC 33-28-1-2, AS AMENDED BY P.L.195-2019,
	713	+	SECTION 3, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	714	+	JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) All circuit courts have:
	715	+	(1) original and concurrent jurisdiction in all civil cases and in all
	716	+	criminal cases;
	717	+	(2) original and concurrent jurisdiction with the superior courts in
	718	+	all user fee cases;
	719	+	(3) de novo appellate jurisdiction of appeals from city and town
	720	+	courts; and
	721	+	(4) in Marion County, de novo appellate jurisdiction of appeals
	722	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 18
	723	+	from township small claims courts established under IC 33-34 but
	724	+	not jurisdiction over a case that must originate in the Marion
	725	+	County small claims court under IC 33-34-3-3.
	726	+	(b) The circuit court also has the appellate jurisdiction that may be
	727	+	conferred by law upon it.
	728	+	SECTION 4. IC 33-29-1-1.5, AS AMENDED BY P.L.195-2019,
	729	+	SECTION 4, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	730	+	JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1.5. All standard superior courts have:
	731	+	(1) original and concurrent jurisdiction in all civil cases and in all
	732	+	criminal cases;
	733	+	(2) original and concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit courts in
	734	+	all user fee cases;
	735	+	(3) de novo appellate jurisdiction of appeals from city and town
	736	+	courts; and
	737	+	(4) in Marion County, de novo appellate jurisdiction of appeals
	738	+	from township small claims courts established under IC 33-34 but
	739	+	not jurisdiction over a case that must originate in the Marion
	740	+	County small claims court under IC 33-34-3-3.
	741	+	SECTION 5. IC 33-29-1.5-2, AS AMENDED BY P.L.195-2019,
	742	+	SECTION 5, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	743	+	JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. All superior courts have:
	744	+	(1) original and concurrent jurisdiction in all civil cases and in all
	745	+	criminal cases;
	746	+	(2) original and concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit courts in
	747	+	all user fee cases;
	748	+	(3) de novo appellate jurisdiction of appeals from city and town
	749	+	courts; and
	750	+	(4) in Marion County, de novo appellate jurisdiction of appeals
	751	+	from township small claims courts established under IC 33-34 but
	752	+	not jurisdiction over a case that must originate in the Marion
	753	+	County small claims court under IC 33-34-3-3.
	754	+	SECTION 6. IC 33-31-1-9, AS AMENDED BY P.L.201-2011,
	755	+	SECTION 28, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	756	+	JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 9. All probate courts have:
	757	+	(1) original and concurrent jurisdiction in all civil cases and in all
	758	+	criminal cases;
	759	+	(2) de novo appellate jurisdiction of appeals from city and town
	760	+	courts; and
	761	+	(3) in Marion County, de novo appellate jurisdiction of appeals
	762	+	from township small claims courts established under IC 33-34 but
	763	+	not jurisdiction over a case that must originate in the Marion
	764	+	County small claims court under IC 33-34-3-3.
	765	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 19
	766	+	SECTION 5. IC 33-33-18-9 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
	767	+	AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY
	768	+	1, 2025]: Sec. 9. (a) The judges of the Delaware circuit court may
	769	+	jointly appoint one (1) full-time magistrate under IC 33-23-5 to
	770	+	serve the circuit court.
	771	+	(b) A magistrate continues in office until removed by the judges
	772	+	of the Delaware circuit court.".
	773	+	Page 2, between lines 26 and 27, begin a new paragraph and insert:
	774	+	"SECTION 10. IC 33-33-47-6 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	775	+	FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 6. (a) In addition to the
	776	+	personnel appointed under IC 33-29-1-5, each judge may appoint
	777	+	additional officers and personnel necessary for the proper
	778	+	administration of the judge's duties as judge of the Lawrence superior
	779	+	court.
	780	+	(b) The judge of the Lawrence County juvenile court may
	781	+	appoint not more than one (1) full-time magistrate under
31	782		IC 33-23-5.
32		-	SECTION 2. IC 33-33-0.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
	783	+	SECTION 11. IC 33-33-76-1 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	784	+	FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1. (a) Steuben County
	785	+	constitutes the eighty-fifth judicial circuit.
	786	+	(b) The judges of the Steuben circuit and superior courts may jointly
	787	+	appoint one (1) full-time magistrate under IC 33-23-5 to serve the
	788	+	circuit and superior courts.
	789	+	(c) The magistrate continues in office until removed by the judges
	790	+	of the Steuben circuit and superior courts.
	791	+	SECTION 12. IC 33-33-76-2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	792	+	FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) There is are
	793	+	established a court two (2) courts of record to be known as the Steuben
	794	+	superior court No. 1 and Steuben superior court No. 2.
	795	+	(b) The Steuben superior court is a courts are standard superior
	796	+	court courts as described in IC 33-29-1.
	797	+	(c) Steuben County comprises the judicial district of the each
	798	+	superior court.
	799	+	SECTION 13. IC 33-33-76-3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	800	+	FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. The Each Steuben
	801	+	superior court has one (1) judge who shall hold sessions in:
	802	+	(1) the Steuben County courthouse in Angola; or
	803	+	(2) other places in the county that the Steuben County executive
	804	+	may provide.".
	805	+	Page 2, after line 34, begin a new paragraph and insert:
	806	+	"SECTION 15. IC 33-34-3-1 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	807	+	FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1. (a) Except for a
	808	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 20
	809	+	claim between landlord and tenant, a case within the jurisdiction of a
	810	+	small claims court may be:
	811	+	(1) venued;
	812	+	(2) commenced; and
	813	+	(3) decided;
	814	+	in any township small claims court within the county. However, upon
	815	+	a motion for change of venue filed by the defendant within ten (10)
	816	+	days of service of the summons, the township small claims court shall
	817	+	determine in accordance with subsection (b) whether required venue
	818	+	lies with the court or with another small claims court in the county in
	819	+	which the small claims court action was filed.
	820	+	(b) The venue determination to be made under subsection (a) must
	821	+	be made in the following order:
	822	+	(1) In an action upon a debt or account, venue is in the township
	823	+	where any defendant has consented to venue in a writing signed
	824	+	by the defendant.
	825	+	(2) Venue is in the township where a transaction or occurrence
	826	+	giving rise to any part of the claim took place.
	827	+	(3) Venue is in the township (in a county of the small claims
	828	+	court) where the greater percentage of individual defendants
	829	+	included in the complaint resides, or, if there is not a greater
	830	+	percentage, the place where any individual named as a defendant:
	831	+	(A) resides;
	832	+	(B) owns real estate; or
	833	+	(C) rents an apartment or real estate or where the principal
	834	+	office or place of business of any defendant is located.
	835	+	(4) Venue is in the township where the claim was filed if there is
	836	+	no other township in the county in which the small claims court
	837	+	sits in which required venue lies.
	838	+	(c) Venue of any claim between landlord and tenant must be in the
	839	+	township where the real estate is located or in a contiguous township.
	840	+	(d) If a written motion challenging venue is received by the small
	841	+	claims court, the court shall rule whether required venue lies in the
	842	+	township of filing.
	843	+	SECTION 16. IC 33-34-3-3, AS AMENDED BY P.L.125-2021,
	844	+	SECTION 5, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	845	+	JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. The court has original and concurrent
	846	+	jurisdiction with the circuit and superior courts in possessory actions
	847	+	between landlord and tenant in which the past due rent at the time of
	848	+	filing does not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000). The court also
	849	+	has original and concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit and superior
	850	+	courts in actions for the possession of property where the value of the
	851	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 21
	852	+	property sought to be recovered does not exceed ten thousand dollars
	853	+	($10,000). These jurisdictional limitations are not affected by interest
	854	+	and attorney's fees.
	855	+	SECTION 17. IC 33-34-8-1, AS AMENDED BY P.L.178-2022(ts),
	856	+	SECTION 18, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	857	+	JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1. (a) The following fees and costs apply to cases
	858	+	in the small claims court:
	859	+	(1) A township docket fee of five dollars ($5) plus forty-five
	860	+	percent (45%) of the infraction or ordinance violation costs fee
	861	+	under IC 33-37-4-2.
	862	+	(2) The bailiff's service of process by registered or certified mail
	863	+	fee of fifteen dollars ($15) for each service.
	864	+	(3) The cost for the personal service of process by the bailiff or
	865	+	other process server of fifteen dollars ($15) for each service.
	866	+	(4) Witness fees, if any, in the amount provided by IC 33-37-10-3
	867	+	to be taxed and charged in the circuit court.
	868	+	(5) A redocketing fee, if any, of five dollars ($5).
	869	+	(6) A document storage fee under IC 33-37-5-20.
	870	+	(7) An automated record keeping fee under IC 33-37-5-21.
	871	+	(8) A late fee, if any, under IC 33-37-5-22.
	872	+	(9) A public defense administration fee under IC 33-37-5-21.2.
	873	+	(10) A judicial insurance adjustment fee under IC 33-37-5-25.
	874	+	(11) A judicial salaries fee under IC 33-37-5-26.
	875	+	(12) A court administration fee under IC 33-37-5-27.
	876	+	(13) Before July 1, 2025, a pro bono legal services fee under
	877	+	IC 33-37-5-31.
	878	+	(14) A sheriff's service of process fee under IC 33-37-5-15 for
	879	+	each service of process performed outside Marion County.
	880	+	(15) A small claims service fee of twenty-six dollars ($26)
	881	+	under IC 33-37-5-35.
	882	+	The township docket fee and the cost for the initial service of process
	883	+	shall be paid at the institution of a case. The cost of service after the
	884	+	initial service shall be assessed and paid after service has been made.
	885	+	The cost of witness fees shall be paid before the witnesses are called.
	886	+	(b) If the amount of the township docket fee computed under
	887	+	subsection (a)(1) is not equal to a whole number, the amount shall be
	888	+	rounded to the next highest whole number.
	889	+	SECTION 18. IC 33-34-8-3, AS AMENDED BY P.L.9-2024,
	890	+	SECTION 507, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS
	891	+	[EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. (a) Payment for all costs made as
	892	+	a result of proceedings in a small claims court shall be to the _______
	893	+	Township of Marion County Small Claims Court (with the name of the
	894	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 22
	895	+	township inserted). The court shall issue a receipt for all money
	896	+	received on a form numbered serially in duplicate.
	897	+	(b) This subsection applies only to a low caseload court (as defined
	898	+	in section 5 of this chapter). All township docket fees and late fees
	899	+	received by the court shall be paid to the township trustee at the close
	900	+	of each month.
	901	+	(c) This subsection does not apply to a low caseload court. This
	902	+	subsection applies to all other township small claims courts in Marion
	903	+	County. One dollar and fifty cents ($1.50) of the township docket fee
	904	+	shall be paid to the township trustee of each low caseload court at the
	905	+	end of each month. The remaining township docket fees and late fees
	906	+	received by the court shall be paid to the township trustee at the close
	907	+	of each month.
	908	+	(d) (b) The court shall:
	909	+	(1) semiannually distribute to the state comptroller:
	910	+	(A) all automated record keeping fees (IC 33-37-5-21)
	911	+	received by the court for deposit in the homeowner protection
	912	+	unit account established by IC 4-6-12-9 and the state user fee
	913	+	fund established under IC 33-37-9;
	914	+	(B) all public defense administration fees collected by the
	915	+	court under IC 33-37-5-21.2 for deposit in the state general
	916	+	fund;
	917	+	(C) sixty percent (60%) of all court administration fees
	918	+	collected by the court under IC 33-37-5-27 for deposit in the
	919	+	state general fund;
	920	+	(D) all judicial insurance adjustment fees collected by the
	921	+	court under IC 33-37-5-25 for deposit in the state general fund;
	922	+	(E) seventy-five percent (75%) of all judicial salaries fees
	923	+	collected by the court under IC 33-37-5-26 for deposit in the
	924	+	state general fund; and
	925	+	(F) one hundred percent (100%) of the pro bono legal services
	926	+	fees collected before July 1, 2025, by the court under
	927	+	IC 33-37-5-31 for deposit in the pro bono legal services fund
	928	+	established by IC 33-37-5-34; and
	929	+	(2) distribute monthly to the county auditor all of the following
	930	+	fees received by the court:
	931	+	(A) Document storage fees. received by the court.
	932	+	(B) The remaining twenty-five percent (25%) of the judicial
	933	+	salaries fees described in subdivision (1)(E). shall be deposited
	934	+	monthly in the township general fund of the township in which
	935	+	the court is located. The county auditor shall deposit fees
	936	+	distributed under subdivision (2) into the clerk's record
	937	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 23
	938	+	perpetuation fund under IC 33-37-5-2.
	939	+	(C) Township docket fees and late fees.
	940	+	(D) Small claims service fees received under IC 33-37-5-35;
	941	+	and
	942	+	(e) The court (3) distribute semiannually shall pay to the
	943	+	township trustee of the township in which the court is located the
	944	+	remaining forty percent (40%) of the court administration fees
	945	+	described under subsection (d)(1)(C) to fund the operations of the
	946	+	small claims court in the trustee's township. subdivision (1)(C).
	947	+	SECTION 19. IC 33-37-5-34, AS AMENDED BY P.L.9-2024,
	948	+	SECTION 509, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS
	949	+	[EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 34. (a) The pro bono legal services
	950	+	fund is established. The state comptroller shall administer the fund.
	951	+	(b) The fund consists of distributions of pro bono legal services fees
	952	+	under:
	953	+	(1) IC 33-34-8-3(d)(1)(F); IC 33-34-8-3(b)(1)(F);
	954	+	(2) IC 33-37-7-2(l); or
	955	+	(3) IC 33-37-7-8(i).
	956	+	(c) The state comptroller shall transfer semiannually the pro bono
	957	+	legal services fees in the fund to the Indiana Bar Foundation (or a
	958	+	successor entity) as the entity designated to organize and administer the
	959	+	interest on lawyers trust accounts (IOLTA) program under Rule 1.15
	960	+	of the Rules of Professional Conduct of the Indiana supreme court. The
	961	+	Indiana Bar Foundation shall:
	962	+	(1) deposit in an appropriate account and otherwise manage the
	963	+	fees the Indiana Bar Foundation receives under this subsection in
	964	+	the same manner the Indiana Bar Foundation deposits and
	965	+	manages the net earnings the Indiana Bar Foundation receives
	966	+	from IOLTA accounts; and
	967	+	(2) use the fees the Indiana Bar Foundation receives under this
	968	+	subsection to assist or establish approved pro bono legal services
	969	+	programs.
	970	+	The handling and expenditure of the pro bono legal services fees
	971	+	received under this section by the Indiana Bar Foundation (or its
	972	+	successor entity) are subject to audit by the state board of accounts.
	973	+	(d) Money in the fund and any interest that accrues to the fund
	974	+	remain in the fund and do not revert to the state general fund.
	975	+	(e) Money in the fund is continuously appropriated to carry out the
	976	+	transfers required under subsection (c).
	977	+	SECTION 20. IC 33-37-5-35 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
	978	+	CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
	979	+	[EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 35. (a) This section applies to a
	980	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 24
	981	+	small claims action in which a party is required to pay a township
	982	+	docket fee under IC 33-34-8-1(a)(1).
	983	+	(b) The clerk shall collect a small claims service fee of twenty-six
	984	+	dollars ($26) from the party filing the small claims action.
	985	+	SECTION 21. IC 33-37-5-36 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
	986	+	CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
	987	+	[EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 36. (a) The small claims fund is
	988	+	established. The auditor of Marion County shall administer the
	989	+	fund.
	990	+	(b) The small claims fund consists of the following fees
	991	+	distributed under IC 33-34-8-3(b):
	992	+	(1) Document storage fees.
	993	+	(2) Judicial salaries fees.
	994	+	(3) Township docket and late fees.
	995	+	(4) Small claims service fees.
	996	+	(5) Court administration fees.
	997	+	(c) The county auditor shall transfer semiannually the fees
	998	+	described in subsection (b) that are in the small claims fund to each
	999	+	township within which a small claims court is located. The fees
	1000	+	transferred under this section shall be distributed equally among
	1001	+	the townships. The trustee of a township in which a court is located
	1002	+	shall:
	1003	+	(1) deposit the fees into the township general fund and
	1004	+	otherwise manage the fees received under this subsection; and
	1005	+	(2) use the fees received under this subsection to fund the
	1006	+	operations of the small claims court in the trustee's township.
	1007	+	(d) Money in the small claims fund and any interest that accrues
	1008	+	from money in the fund remain in the fund and do not revert to a
	1009	+	clerk of the court.".
	1010	+	Renumber all SECTIONS consecutively.
	1011	+	and when so amended that said bill do pass and be reassigned to the
	1012	+	Senate Committee on Appropriations.
	1013	+	(Reference is to HB 1144 as printed February 6, 2025.)
	1014	+	BROWN L, Chairperson
	1015	+	Committee Vote: Yeas 10, Nays 0.
	1016	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 25
	1017	+	COMMITTEE REPORT
	1018	+	Mr. President: The Senate Committee on Appropriations, to which
	1019	+	was referred Engrossed House Bill No. 1144, has had the same under
	1020	+	consideration and begs leave to report the same back to the Senate with
	1021	+	the recommendation that said bill be AMENDED as follows:
	1022	+	Page 1, delete lines 1 through 17.
	1023	+	Page 2, delete lines 1 through 11.
	1024	+	Page 2, delete lines 30 through 32, begin a new line block indented
	1025	+	and insert:
	1026	+	"(1) Money appropriated by the general assembly.".
	1027	+	Page 2, line 39, delete "Interest that".
	1028	+	Page 2, delete line 40.
	1029	+	Page 4, delete lines 11 through 17, begin a new paragraph and
	1030	+	insert:
	1031	+	"SECTION 6. IC 33-33-0.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
33	1032		AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
34	1033		JULY 1, 2025]:
35	1034		Chapter 0.5. Transitional Procedures
36	1035		Sec. 1. This chapter applies when a circuit or superior court is
37		-	HEA 1144 — CC 1 2
38	1036		abolished under this article.
39	1037		Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "abolished court" means a court
40	1038		abolished under this article.
41	1039		Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "abolition date" means the date
42	1040		a court is abolished under this article.
43	1041		Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "court" means a circuit or
44	1042		superior court.
45	1043		Sec. 5. As used in this chapter, "remaining court" means the one
46	1044		(1) or more courts that continue to exist in a judicial circuit after
47	1045		the abolition of a court in that judicial circuit under this article.
48	1046		Sec. 6. On the abolition date, the following apply:
49	1047		(1) The employment of a person employed solely by the
50	1048		abolished court is terminated by operation of law. This
51	1049		subdivision does not prevent the person from being
52	1050		transferred to or employed by another court.
53	1051		(2) A person who is jointly employed by two (2) or more
54	1052		courts remains an employee of the remaining courts.
55	1053		Sec. 7. (a) This section applies if, on the abolition date, there is
56	1054		only one (1) remaining court.
57	1055		(b) On the abolition date, all agreements and liabilities of the
58	1056		abolished court are transferred to the remaining court.
59	1057		(c) On the abolition date, all records and property of the
60	1058		abolished court, including appropriations and other funds under
	1059	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 26
61	1060		the control or supervision of the court, are transferred to the
62	1061		remaining court.
63	1062		(d) On the abolition date, any amounts owed to the abolished
64	1063		court before the abolition date are considered to be owed to the
65	1064		remaining court.
66	1065		(e) On and after the abolition date, any reference to the
67	1066		abolished court in a statute, rule, or other document is considered
68	1067		a reference to the remaining court.
69	1068		(f) On the abolition date, all proceedings pending before the
70	1069		abolished court are transferred to the remaining court.
71	1070		Sec. 8. (a) This section applies if, on the abolition date, there are
72	1071		two (2) or more remaining courts.
73	1072		(b) On the abolition date, all agreements and liabilities of the
74	1073		abolished court are transferred to the remaining courts in a
75	1074		manner jointly determined by the remaining courts.
76	1075		(c) On the abolition date, all records and property of the
77	1076		abolished court, including appropriations and other funds under
78	1077		the control or supervision of the court, are transferred to the
79	1078		remaining courts in a manner jointly determined by the remaining
80		-	HEA 1144 — CC 1 3
81	1079		courts.
82	1080		(d) On the abolition date, any amounts owed to the abolished
83	1081		court before the abolition date are considered to be owed to the
84	1082		remaining courts, in a manner jointly determined by the remaining
85	1083		courts.
86	1084		(e) On and after the abolition date, any reference to the
87	1085		abolished court in a statute, rule, or other document is considered
88	1086		a reference to a remaining court, as jointly determined by the
89	1087		remaining courts.
90	1088		(f) On the abolition date, all proceedings pending before the
91	1089		abolished court are transferred to the remaining courts in a
92	1090		manner jointly determined by the remaining courts.
93		-	SECTION 3. IC 33-33-5-2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	1091	+	SECTION 7. IC 33-33-5-2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
94	1092		FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) There is
95	1093		established a court of record to be known as the Blackford superior
96	1094		court.
97	1095		(b) The Blackford superior court is a standard superior court as
98	1096		described in IC 33-29-1.
99	1097		(c) Blackford County comprises the judicial district of the court.
100	1098		(d) The Blackford superior court is abolished on December 31,
101	1099		2028.
102	1100		(e) This section expires January 1, 2029.
103		-	SECTION 4. IC 33-33-5-3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	1101	+	SECTION 8. IC 33-33-5-3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	1102	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 27
104	1103		FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. (a) The Blackford
105	1104		superior court has one (1) judge who shall hold sessions in the
106	1105		Blackford County courthouse in Hartford City or in any other places in
107	1106		the county as the Blackford County executive may provide.
108	1107		(b) The Blackford superior court is abolished on December 31,
109	1108		2028.
110	1109		(c) This section expires January 1, 2029.
111		-	SECTION 5. IC 33-33-5-4 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	1110	+	SECTION 9. IC 33-33-5-4 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
112	1111		FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 4. (a) In addition to a
113	1112		bailiff and an official court reporter for the court appointed under
114	1113		IC 33-29-1-5, the judge of the Blackford superior court may appoint a
115	1114		referee, commissioner, or other personnel as the judge considers
116	1115		necessary to facilitate and transact the business of the court. The salary
117	1116		of a referee, commissioner, or other person:
118	1117		(1) shall be fixed in the same manner as the salaries of the
119	1118		personnel for the Blackford circuit court; and
120	1119		(2) shall be paid monthly out of the treasury of Blackford County
121	1120		as provided by law.
122	1121		(b) Personnel appointed under this section and IC 33-29-1-5
123		-	HEA 1144 — CC 1 4
124	1122		continue in office until removed by the judge of the court.
125	1123		(c) The Blackford superior court is abolished on December 31,
126	1124		2028.
127	1125		(d) This section expires January 1, 2029.
128		-	SECTION 6. IC 33-33-20-2, AS AMENDED BY P.L.1-2006,
129		-	SECTION 503, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS
130		-	[EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) The judges of the Elkhart
131		-	circuit and superior courts may jointly appoint two four (4) full-time
132		-	magistrates under IC 33-23-5 to serve the circuit and superior courts.
133		-	(b) A magistrate continues in office until removed by the judges of
134		-	the circuit and superior courts.
135		-	SECTION 7. IC 33-33-29-2, AS AMENDED BY P.L.123-2021,
136		-	SECTION 4, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
137		-	JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) There are established seven (7) nine (9)
138		-	superior courts of record to be known as the:
139		-	(1) Hamilton superior court No. 1;
140		-	(2) Hamilton superior court No. 2;
141		-	(3) Hamilton superior court No. 3;
142		-	(4) Hamilton superior court No. 4;
143		-	(5) Hamilton superior court No. 5;
144		-	(6) Hamilton superior court No. 6; and
145		-	(7) Hamilton superior court No. 7;
146		-	(8) Hamilton superior court No. 8; and
147		-	(9) Hamilton superior court No. 9.
148		-	(b) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, each Hamilton
149		-	superior court is a standard superior court as described in IC 33-29-1.
150		-	(c) Hamilton County constitutes the judicial district of each court.
151		-	SECTION 8. IC 33-33-29-2.3 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
152		-	CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
153		-	[EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2.3. (a) Notwithstanding section
154		-	2 of this chapter, Hamilton superior court No. 8 and Hamilton
155		-	superior court No. 9 are established January 1, 2027.
156		-	(b) The first judge of Hamilton superior court No. 8 and
157		-	Hamilton superior court No. 9 shall:
158		-	(1) be elected at the November 2026 general election;
159		-	(2) take office January 1, 2027; and
160		-	(3) serve a term of six (6) years.
161		-	(c) This section expires January 1, 2033.
162		-	SECTION 9. IC 33-33-29-6, AS AMENDED BY P.L.138-2020,
163		-	SECTION 20, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
164		-	JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 6. (a) The judge of the Hamilton circuit court and
165		-	the judges of the Hamilton superior courts may jointly appoint four (4)
166		-	HEA 1144 — CC 1 5
167		-	six (6) full-time magistrates under IC 33-23-5 to serve the circuit and
168		-	superior courts.
169		-	(b) A magistrate continues in office until jointly removed by the
170		-	judge of the Hamilton circuit court and the judges of the Hamilton
171		-	superior courts.
172		-	SECTION 10. IC 33-33-40-1, AS AMENDED BY P.L.138-2020,
	1126	+	SECTION 10. IC 33-33-8-2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	1127	+	FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) There is
	1128	+	established a court of record to be known as the Carroll superior court.
	1129	+	(b) The Carroll superior court is a standard superior court as
	1130	+	described in IC 33-29-1.
	1131	+	(c) Carroll County comprises the judicial district of the superior
	1132	+	court.
	1133	+	(d) The Carroll superior court is abolished on December 31,
	1134	+	2026.
	1135	+	(e) This section expires January 1, 2027.
	1136	+	SECTION 11. IC 33-33-8-3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	1137	+	FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. (a) The Carroll
	1138	+	superior court has one (1) judge who shall hold sessions in the Carroll
	1139	+	County courthouse in Delphi or in other places in the county as the
	1140	+	Carroll County executive may provide.
	1141	+	(b) The Carroll superior court is abolished on December 31,
	1142	+	2026.
	1143	+	(c) This section expires January 1, 2027.".
	1144	+	Page 4, line 21, delete "five (5)" and insert "four (4)".
	1145	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 28
	1146	+	Page 4, between lines 24 and 25, begin a new paragraph and insert:
	1147	+	"SECTION 14. IC 33-33-26-1, AS AMENDED BY P.L.138-2020,
	1148	+	SECTION 19, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	1149	+	JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1. (a) Gibson County constitutes the sixty-sixth
	1150	+	judicial circuit.
	1151	+	(b) Except as provided in subsection (d), the judges of the Gibson
	1152	+	superior court and Gibson circuit court may appoint one (1) full-time
	1153	+	magistrate under IC 33-23-5 to serve both courts.
	1154	+	(c) Except as provided in subsection (d), the magistrate continues
	1155	+	in office until removed by the judge of the Gibson superior court and
	1156	+	the judge of the Gibson circuit court.
	1157	+	(d) Beginning January 1, 2029, the circuit court judge may
	1158	+	appoint and remove the magistrate.
	1159	+	SECTION 15. IC 33-33-26-2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	1160	+	FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) There is
	1161	+	established a court of record to be known as the Gibson superior court.
	1162	+	(b) The Gibson superior court is a standard superior court as
	1163	+	described in IC 33-29-1.
	1164	+	(c) Gibson County comprises the judicial district of the court.
	1165	+	(d) The Gibson superior court is abolished on December 31,
	1166	+	2028.
	1167	+	(e) This section expires January 1, 2029.
	1168	+	SECTION 16. IC 33-33-26-3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	1169	+	FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. (a) The Gibson
	1170	+	superior court has one (1) judge who shall hold sessions in:
	1171	+	(1) the Gibson County courthouse in Princeton; or
	1172	+	(2) other places in the county as the board of county
	1173	+	commissioners of Gibson County may provide.
	1174	+	(b) The Gibson superior court is abolished on December 31,
	1175	+	2028.
	1176	+	(c) This section expires January 1, 2029.
	1177	+	SECTION 17. IC 33-33-28-1, AS AMENDED BY P.L.173-2015,
	1178	+	SECTION 7, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	1179	+	JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1. (a) Greene County constitutes the sixty-third
	1180	+	judicial circuit.
	1181	+	(b) Except as provided in subsection (d), the judge of the Greene
	1182	+	circuit court and the judge of the Greene superior court may jointly
	1183	+	appoint one (1) full-time magistrate under IC 33-23-5 to serve the
	1184	+	circuit and superior courts.
	1185	+	(c) Except as provided in subsection (d), the magistrate continues
	1186	+	in office until jointly removed by the judge of the Greene circuit court
	1187	+	and the judge of the Greene superior court.
	1188	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 29
	1189	+	(d) Beginning January 1, 2027, the circuit court judge may
	1190	+	appoint and remove the magistrate.
	1191	+	SECTION 18. IC 33-33-28-2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	1192	+	FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) There is
	1193	+	established a court of record to be known as the Greene superior court.
	1194	+	(b) The Greene superior court is a standard superior court as
	1195	+	described in IC 33-29-1.
	1196	+	(c) Greene County comprises the judicial district of the court.
	1197	+	(d) The Greene superior court is abolished on December 31,
	1198	+	2026.
	1199	+	(e) This section expires January 1, 2027.
	1200	+	SECTION 19. IC 33-33-28-3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	1201	+	FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. (a) The Greene
	1202	+	superior court has one (1) judge who shall hold sessions in:
	1203	+	(1) the Greene County courthouse in Bloomfield; or
	1204	+	(2) other places in the county as the Greene County executive may
	1205	+	provide.
	1206	+	(b) The Greene superior court is abolished on December 31,
	1207	+	2026.
	1208	+	(c) This section expires January 1, 2027.".
	1209	+	Page 5, between lines 18 and 19, begin a new paragraph and insert:
	1210	+	"SECTION 22. IC 33-33-40-1, AS AMENDED BY P.L.138-2020,
173	1211		SECTION 21, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
174	1212		JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1. (a) Jennings County constitutes the eighty-sixth
175	1213		judicial circuit.
176	1214		(b) The Jennings circuit court has a standard small claims and
177	1215		misdemeanor division.
178		-	(c) The judge of the Jennings circuit court and the judge of the
179		-	Jennings superior court may jointly appoint one (1) full-time magistrate
180		-	under IC 33-23-5 to serve the circuit and superior courts. This
181		-	subsection expires December 31, 2025.
182		-	(d) A magistrate continues in office until jointly removed by the
183		-	judge of the Jennings circuit court and the judge of the Jennings
184		-	superior court. This subsection expires December 31, 2025.
185		-	(e) Beginning January 1, 2026, the judges of the Jennings circuit
186		-	and superior court may not appoint a magistrate under IC 33-23-5.
187		-	(f) A magistrate appointed under this section is terminated by
188		-	operation of law on December 31, 2025.
189		-	SECTION 11. IC 33-33-47-6 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
190		-	FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 6. (a) In addition to the
191		-	personnel appointed under IC 33-29-1-5, each judge may appoint
192		-	additional officers and personnel necessary for the proper
193		-	administration of the judge's duties as judge of the Lawrence superior
	1216	+	(c) Except as provided in subsection (e), the judge of the Jennings
	1217	+	circuit court and the judge of the Jennings superior court may jointly
	1218	+	appoint one (1) full-time magistrate under IC 33-23-5 to serve the
	1219	+	circuit and superior courts.
	1220	+	(d) Except as provided in subsection (e), a magistrate continues in
	1221	+	office until jointly removed by the judge of the Jennings circuit court
	1222	+	and the judge of the Jennings superior court.
	1223	+	(e) Beginning January 1, 2027, the circuit court judge may
	1224	+	appoint and remove the magistrate.
	1225	+	SECTION 23. IC 33-33-40-2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	1226	+	FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) There is
	1227	+	established a court of record to be known as the Jennings superior
194	1228		court.
195		-	(b) The judge of the Lawrence County juvenile court may
196		-	appoint not more than one (1) full-time magistrate under
197		-	IC 33-23-5.
198		-	SECTION 12. IC 33-33-53-1, AS AMENDED BY P.L.237-2005,
	1229	+	(b) The Jennings superior court is a standard superior court as
	1230	+	described in IC 33-29-1.
	1231	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 30
	1232	+	(c) Jennings County comprises the judicial district of the court.
	1233	+	(d) The Jennings superior court is abolished on December 31,
	1234	+	2026.
	1235	+	(e) This section expires January 1, 2027.
	1236	+	SECTION 24. IC 33-33-40-3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	1237	+	FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. (a) The Jennings
	1238	+	superior court has one (1) judge who shall hold sessions in:
	1239	+	(1) the Jennings County courthouse in Vernon; or
	1240	+	(2) another place in the county as the Jennings County executive
	1241	+	may provide.
	1242	+	(b) The Jennings superior court is abolished on December 31,
	1243	+	2026.
	1244	+	(c) This section expires January 1, 2027.".
	1245	+	Page 5, delete lines 28 through 42, begin a new paragraph and
	1246	+	insert:
	1247	+	"SECTION 27. IC 33-33-49-32, AS AMENDED BY P.L.123-2021,
	1248	+	SECTION 9, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	1249	+	JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 32. (a) In addition to the magistrate appointed
	1250	+	under section 31 of this chapter, the judges of the superior court may,
	1251	+	by a vote of a majority of the judges, appoint:
	1252	+	(1) twelve (12) full-time magistrates under IC 33-23-5 after
	1253	+	December 31, 2013, and until January 1, 2016, not more than six
	1254	+	(6) of whom may be from the same political party;
	1255	+	(2) sixteen (16) full-time magistrates under IC 33-23-5 after
	1256	+	December 31, 2015, and until January 1, 2018, not more than
	1257	+	eight (8) of whom may be from the same political party;
	1258	+	(3) twenty (20) full-time magistrates under IC 33-23-5 after
	1259	+	December 31, 2017, and until January 1, 2020, not more than ten
	1260	+	(10) of whom may be from the same political party;
	1261	+	(4) twenty-four (24) full-time magistrates under IC 33-23-5 after
	1262	+	December 31, 2019, and until January 1, 2022, not more than
	1263	+	twelve (12) of whom may be from the same political party; and
	1264	+	(5) twenty-seven (27) full-time magistrates under IC 33-23-5 after
	1265	+	December 31, 2021, and until January 1, 2026, not more than
	1266	+	fourteen (14) of whom may be from the same political party; and
	1267	+	(6) twenty-one (21) full-time magistrates under IC 33-23-5
	1268	+	after December 31, 2025, not more than eleven (11) of whom
	1269	+	may be from the same political party.
	1270	+	(b) Except as provided in subsection (d), the magistrates continue
	1271	+	in office until removed in accordance with local rule.
	1272	+	(c) A party to a superior court proceeding that has been assigned to
	1273	+	a magistrate appointed under this section may request that an elected
	1274	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 31
	1275	+	judge of the superior court preside over the proceeding instead of the
	1276	+	magistrate to whom the proceeding has been assigned. A request under
	1277	+	this subsection must be in writing and must be filed with the court:
	1278	+	(1) in a civil case, not later than:
	1279	+	(A) ten (10) days after the pleadings are closed; or
	1280	+	(B) thirty (30) days after the case is entered on the
	1281	+	chronological case summary, in a case in which the defendant
	1282	+	is not required to answer; or
	1283	+	(2) in a criminal case, not later than ten (10) days after the
	1284	+	omnibus date.
	1285	+	Upon a timely request made under this subsection by either party, the
	1286	+	magistrate to whom the proceeding has been assigned shall transfer the
	1287	+	proceeding back to the superior court judge.
	1288	+	(d) On January 1, 2026, the three (3) magistrates of each
	1289	+	political party with the least seniority are removed from office by
	1290	+	operation of law, unless the judges of the superior court, by a vote
	1291	+	of a majority of the judges, elect to remove different magistrates in
	1292	+	a manner that meets the requirements of subsection (a)(6).
	1293	+	SECTION 28. IC 33-33-53-1, AS AMENDED BY P.L.237-2005,
199	1294		SECTION 20, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
200	1295		JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1. (a) Monroe County constitutes the tenth judicial
201	1296		circuit.
202	1297		(b) There are nine (9) judges of the Monroe circuit court. This
203	1298		subsection expires December 31, 2026.
204		-	(c) Beginning January 1, 2027, there are eight (8) judges of the
	1299	+	(c) Except as provided in subsection (e), Monroe circuit court 9
	1300	+	is abolished on December 31, 2026.
	1301	+	(d) Beginning January 1, 2027, there are eight (8) judges of the
205	1302		Monroe circuit court.
206		-	(d) Monroe County circuit court division 2, seat 6 is abolished
207		-	on December 31, 2026.
208		-	SECTION 13. IC 33-33-84-22 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
209		-	HEA 1144 — CC 1 6
	1303	+	(e) The legislative body of the county may choose to have
	1304	+	Monroe circuit court 5 or Monroe circuit court 6 abolished instead
	1305	+	of Monroe circuit court 9 by adopting a resolution before January
	1306	+	1, 2027, designating which of these circuit courts will be abolished.
	1307	+	If the legislative body of the county adopts a resolution designating
	1308	+	Monroe circuit court 5 or Monroe circuit court 6 to be abolished,
	1309	+	that court is abolished on December 31, 2026.
	1310	+	SECTION 29. IC 33-33-56-2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	1311	+	FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) There is
	1312	+	established a court of record to be known as the Newton superior court.
	1313	+	(b) The Newton superior court is a standard superior court as
	1314	+	described in IC 33-29-1.
	1315	+	(c) Newton County comprises the judicial district of the court.
	1316	+	(d) The Newton superior court is abolished on December 31,
	1317	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 32
	1318	+	2030.
	1319	+	(e) This section expires January 1, 2031.
	1320	+	SECTION 30. IC 33-33-56-3, AS AMENDED BY P.L.201-2011,
	1321	+	SECTION 81, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	1322	+	JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. (a) The Newton superior court has one (1)
	1323	+	judge.
	1324	+	(b) This section expires January 1, 2031.
	1325	+	SECTION 31. IC 33-33-56-4 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	1326	+	FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 4. (a) The Newton
	1327	+	superior court shall hold its sessions in:
	1328	+	(1) the Newton County courthouse in Kentland; or
	1329	+	(2) other places in the county as the board of county
	1330	+	commissioners of Newton County may provide.
	1331	+	(b) This section expires January 1, 2031.
	1332	+	SECTION 32. IC 33-33-60-2, AS ADDED BY P.L.83-2013,
	1333	+	SECTION 4, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	1334	+	JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) The Owen circuit court is a court of general
	1335	+	jurisdiction with two (2) judges. The divisions of the circuit court shall
	1336	+	be known as Owen circuit court No. 1 and Owen circuit court No. 2.
	1337	+	Owen County constitutes the judicial district of the circuit court and
	1338	+	each of the court's divisions. The circuit court shall maintain the
	1339	+	following dockets:
	1340	+	(1) A small claims and misdemeanor division under IC 33-28-3
	1341	+	that has a:
	1342	+	(A) small claims docket; and
	1343	+	(B) minor offenses and violations docket.
	1344	+	(2) Criminal.
	1345	+	(3) Juvenile.
	1346	+	(4) Civil.
	1347	+	(5) Probate.
	1348	+	(b) The assignment of judges of the circuit court to the dockets
	1349	+	specified in subsection (a) must be by rule of the circuit court.
	1350	+	(c) The Owen circuit court No. 2 is abolished December 31,
	1351	+	2026.
	1352	+	(d) This section expires January 1, 2027.
	1353	+	SECTION 33. IC 33-33-60-2.1 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
210	1354		CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
211		-	[EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 22. (a) The judges of the Vigo
212		-	circuit and superior courts may jointly appoint one (1) full-time
213		-	magistrate under IC 33-23-5 to serve the circuit and superior
214		-	courts.
215		-	(b) The magistrate continues in office until removed by the
216		-	judges of the Vigo circuit and superior courts.
217		-	HEA 1144 — CC 1 Speaker of the House of Representatives
218		-	President of the Senate
219		-	President Pro Tempore
220		-	Governor of the State of Indiana
221		-	Date: Time:
222		-	HEA 1144 — CC 1
	1355	+	[EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2.1. (a) This section is effective
	1356	+	January 1, 2027.
	1357	+	(b) The Owen circuit court is a court of general jurisdiction.
	1358	+	Owen County constitutes the judicial district of the circuit court
	1359	+	and each of the court's divisions. The circuit court shall maintain
	1360	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 33
	1361	+	the following dockets:
	1362	+	(1) A small claims and misdemeanor division under
	1363	+	IC 33-28-3 that has a:
	1364	+	(A) small claims docket; and
	1365	+	(B) minor offenses and violations docket.
	1366	+	(2) Criminal.
	1367	+	(3) Juvenile.
	1368	+	(4) Civil.
	1369	+	(5) Probate.
	1370	+	SECTION 34. IC 33-33-60-3, AS ADDED BY P.L.83-2013,
	1371	+	SECTION 5, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	1372	+	JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. (a) The judges of the Owen circuit court shall
	1373	+	select from among themselves a presiding judge of the circuit court.
	1374	+	(b) This section expires January 1, 2027.
	1375	+	SECTION 35. IC 33-33-60-4, AS ADDED BY P.L.83-2013,
	1376	+	SECTION 6, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	1377	+	JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 4. (a) When any action of the entire Owen circuit
	1378	+	court is required, the judges of the circuit court shall act in concert. If
	1379	+	the judges are evenly divided, the decision joined by the presiding
	1380	+	judge controls.
	1381	+	(b) This section expires January 1, 2027.
	1382	+	SECTION 36. IC 33-33-60-5, AS ADDED BY P.L.83-2013,
	1383	+	SECTION 7, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	1384	+	JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 5. (a) In accordance with rules adopted by the
	1385	+	judges of the Owen circuit court under section 6 of this chapter, the
	1386	+	presiding judge shall do the following:
	1387	+	(1) Ensure that the circuit court operates efficiently and judicially.
	1388	+	(2) Annually submit to the fiscal body of Owen County a budget
	1389	+	for the circuit court, including amounts necessary for the
	1390	+	following:
	1391	+	(A) The operation of the circuit's probation department.
	1392	+	(B) The defense of indigents.
	1393	+	(C) Maintaining an adequate legal research facility.
	1394	+	(3) Make the appointments or selections required of a circuit or
	1395	+	superior court judge.
	1396	+	(b) This section expires January 1, 2027.
	1397	+	SECTION 37. IC 33-33-60-5.1 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
	1398	+	CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
	1399	+	[EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 5.1. Beginning January 1, 2027,
	1400	+	the circuit court judge shall do the following:
	1401	+	(1) Ensure that the circuit court operates efficiently and
	1402	+	judicially.
	1403	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 34
	1404	+	(2) Annually submit to the fiscal body of Owen County a
	1405	+	budget for the circuit court, including amounts necessary for
	1406	+	the following:
	1407	+	(A) The operation of the circuit's probation department.
	1408	+	(B) The defense of indigents.
	1409	+	(C) Maintaining an adequate legal research facility.
	1410	+	(3) Make the appointments or selections required of a circuit
	1411	+	or superior court judge.
	1412	+	SECTION 38. IC 33-33-60-6, AS AMENDED BY P.L.161-2018,
	1413	+	SECTION 85, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	1414	+	JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 6. (a) The judges of the Owen circuit court shall
	1415	+	adopt rules to provide for the administration of the circuit court,
	1416	+	including rules governing the following:
	1417	+	(1) Allocation of case load.
	1418	+	(2) Legal representation for indigents.
	1419	+	(3) Budgetary matters of the circuit court.
	1420	+	(4) Operation of the probation department.
	1421	+	(5) Term of administration of the presiding judge.
	1422	+	(6) Employment and management of circuit court personnel.
	1423	+	(7) Cooperative efforts with other courts for establishing and
	1424	+	administering shared programs and facilities.
	1425	+	(b) The Owen circuit court shall file with the office of judicial
	1426	+	administration a copy of the rules adopted under this section.
	1427	+	(c) This section expires January 1, 2027.
	1428	+	SECTION 39. IC 33-33-60-6.1 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
	1429	+	CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
	1430	+	[EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 6.1. (a) This section is effective
	1431	+	January 1, 2027.
	1432	+	(b) The circuit court judge shall adopt rules to provide for the
	1433	+	administration of the circuit court, including rules governing the
	1434	+	following:
	1435	+	(1) Legal representation for indigents.
	1436	+	(2) Budgetary matters of the circuit court.
	1437	+	(3) Operation of the probation department.
	1438	+	(4) Employment and management of circuit court personnel.
	1439	+	(5) Cooperative efforts with other courts for establishing and
	1440	+	administering shared programs and facilities.
	1441	+	(c) The Owen circuit court shall file with the office of judicial
	1442	+	administration a copy of the rules adopted under this section.
	1443	+	SECTION 40. IC 33-33-60-7, AS ADDED BY P.L.83-2013,
	1444	+	SECTION 9, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	1445	+	JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 7. (a) Each judge of the Owen circuit court may,
	1446	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 35
	1447	+	subject to the budget approved for the court by the fiscal body of Owen
	1448	+	County, employ personnel necessary for the proper administration of
	1449	+	the judge's docket.
	1450	+	(b) Personnel employed under this section:
	1451	+	(1) include court reporters, bailiffs, clerical staff, and any
	1452	+	additional officers necessary for the proper administration of the
	1453	+	circuit court; and
	1454	+	(2) are subject to the rules concerning employment and
	1455	+	management of circuit court personnel adopted by the Owen
	1456	+	circuit court under section 6 of this chapter.
	1457	+	(c) This section expires January 1, 2027.
	1458	+	SECTION 41. IC 33-33-60-7.1 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
	1459	+	CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
	1460	+	[EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 7.1. (a) This section is effective
	1461	+	January 1, 2027.
	1462	+	(b) The judge of the Owen circuit court may, subject to the
	1463	+	budget approved for the court by the fiscal body of Owen County,
	1464	+	employ personnel necessary for the proper administration of the
	1465	+	judge's docket.
	1466	+	(c) Personnel employed under this section:
	1467	+	(1) include court reporters, bailiffs, clerical staff, and any
	1468	+	additional officers necessary for the proper administration of
	1469	+	the circuit court; and
	1470	+	(2) are subject to the rules concerning employment and
	1471	+	management of circuit court personnel adopted by the Owen
	1472	+	circuit court under section 6.1 of this chapter.
	1473	+	SECTION 42. IC 33-33-66-2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	1474	+	FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) There is
	1475	+	established a court of record to be known as the Pulaski superior court.
	1476	+	(b) The Pulaski superior court is a standard superior court as
	1477	+	described in IC 33-29-1.
	1478	+	(c) Pulaski County comprises the judicial district of the court.
	1479	+	(d) The Pulaski superior court is abolished on December 31,
	1480	+	2030.
	1481	+	(e) This section expires January 1, 2031.
	1482	+	SECTION 43. IC 33-33-66-3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	1483	+	FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. (a) The court has one
	1484	+	(1) judge who shall hold sessions in:
	1485	+	(1) the Pulaski County courthouse in Winamac; or
	1486	+	(2) other places in the county that the Pulaski County executive
	1487	+	provides.
	1488	+	(b) This section expires January 1, 2031.
	1489	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 36
	1490	+	SECTION 44. IC 33-33-70-2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	1491	+	FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) There is
	1492	+	established a court of record to be known as the Rush superior court.
	1493	+	(b) The Rush superior court is a standard superior court as described
	1494	+	in IC 33-29-1.
	1495	+	(c) Rush County comprises the judicial district of the court.
	1496	+	(d) The Rush superior court is abolished on December 31, 2026.
	1497	+	(e) This section expires January 1, 2027.
	1498	+	SECTION 45. IC 33-33-70-3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	1499	+	FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. (a) The Rush
	1500	+	superior court has one (1) judge who shall hold sessions in:
	1501	+	(1) the Rush County courthouse in Rushville; or
	1502	+	(2) other places in the county that the Rush county executive
	1503	+	provides.
	1504	+	(b) This section expires January 1, 2027.
	1505	+	SECTION 46. IC 33-33-72-1, AS AMENDED BY P.L.156-2018,
	1506	+	SECTION 4, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	1507	+	JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1. (a) Scott County constitutes the sixth judicial
	1508	+	circuit.
	1509	+	(b) The judges of the Scott circuit court and Scott superior court
	1510	+	may jointly appoint one (1) full-time magistrate under IC 33-23-5 to
	1511	+	serve the circuit and superior courts.
	1512	+	(c) The magistrate continues in office until removed by the judges
	1513	+	of the Scott circuit and superior courts.
	1514	+	(d) This section expires January 1, 2029.
	1515	+	SECTION 47. IC 33-33-72-1.1 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
	1516	+	CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
	1517	+	[EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1.1. (a) This section is effective
	1518	+	January 1, 2029.
	1519	+	(b) Scott County constitutes the sixth judicial circuit.
	1520	+	(c) The judge of the Scott circuit court may appoint one (1)
	1521	+	full-time magistrate under IC 33-23-5 to serve the circuit court.
	1522	+	(d) The magistrate continues in office until removed by the
	1523	+	judge of the Scott circuit court.
	1524	+	SECTION 48. IC 33-33-72-2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	1525	+	FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) There is
	1526	+	established a court of record to be known as the Scott superior court.
	1527	+	(b) The Scott superior court is a standard superior court as described
	1528	+	in IC 33-29-1.
	1529	+	(c) Scott County comprises the judicial district of the court.
	1530	+	(d) The Scott superior court is abolished on December 31, 2028.
	1531	+	(e) This section expires January 1, 2029.
	1532	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 37
	1533	+	SECTION 49. IC 33-33-72-3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	1534	+	FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. (a) The Scott
	1535	+	superior court has one (1) judge who shall hold sessions in Scottsburg.
	1536	+	(b) This section expires January 1, 2029.".
	1537	+	Page 6, delete lines 1 through 7.
	1538	+	Renumber all SECTIONS consecutively.
	1539	+	and when so amended that said bill do pass.
	1540	+	(Reference is to EHB 1144 as printed March 28, 2025.)
	1541	+	MISHLER, Chairperson
	1542	+	Committee Vote: Yeas 11, Nays 0.
	1543	+	_____
	1544	+	SENATE MOTION
	1545	+	Mr. President: I move that Engrossed House Bill 1144 be amended
	1546	+	to read as follows:
	1547	+	Page 1, delete lines 1 through 17.
	1548	+	Delete page 2.
	1549	+	Page 3, delete lines 1 through 21.
	1550	+	Page 16, delete lines 25 through 42.
	1551	+	Delete pages 17 through 21.
	1552	+	Renumber all SECTIONS consecutively.
	1553	+	(Reference is to EHB 1144 as printed April 11, 2025.)
	1554	+	BROWN L
	1555	+	_____
	1556	+	SENATE MOTION
	1557	+	Mr. President: I move that Engrossed House Bill 1144 be amended
	1558	+	to read as follows:
	1559	+	Page 1, between the enacting clause and line 1, begin a new
	1560	+	paragraph and insert:
	1561	+	"SECTION 1. IC 31-31-3-2, AS AMENDED BY P.L.113-2014,
	1562	+	SECTION 119, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS
	1563	+	[EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) Except as provided in
	1564	+	subsection (b), or (c), or (d) after June 30, 2014, the judge of the
	1565	+	juvenile court may appoint not more than one (1) full-time magistrate
	1566	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 38
	1567	+	under IC 33-23-5.
	1568	+	(b) The judge of the juvenile court may appoint more than one (1)
	1569	+	full-time magistrate only if the appointment of an additional magistrate
	1570	+	is expressly authorized by the general assembly.
	1571	+	(c) Except as provided in subsection (d), if the judge of the
	1572	+	juvenile court appointed one (1) or more full-time magistrates under
	1573	+	this section before July 1, 2014, the judge may continue to appoint or
	1574	+	reappoint a full-time magistrate to each of those positions after June 30,
	1575	+	2014.
	1576	+	(d) The judges of the Marion County juvenile courts may
	1577	+	appoint not more than eleven (11) full-time magistrates under
	1578	+	IC 33-23-5.".
	1579	+	Page 9, delete lines 28 through 42.
	1580	+	Page 10, delete lines 1 through 42, begin a new paragraph and
	1581	+	insert:
	1582	+	"SECTION 27. IC 33-33-53-1, AS AMENDED BY P.L.237-2005,
	1583	+	SECTION 20, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	1584	+	JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1. (a) Monroe County constitutes the tenth judicial
	1585	+	circuit.
	1586	+	(b) There are nine (9) judges of the Monroe circuit court. This
	1587	+	subsection expires December 31, 2026.
	1588	+	(c) Except as provided in subsection (e), one (1) judgeship in
	1589	+	Monroe County is abolished on December 31, 2026, as follows:
	1590	+	(1) If one (1) judge has been appointed to fill a vacancy for a
	1591	+	term that expires on December 31, 2026, the judgeship held by
	1592	+	that judge is abolished.
	1593	+	(2) If more than one (1) judge has been appointed to fill more
	1594	+	than one (1) vacancy for a term that expires on December 31,
	1595	+	2026, the judgeship held by the most recently appointed judge
	1596	+	is abolished.
	1597	+	(3) If no judge has been appointed to fill a vacancy for a term
	1598	+	that expires on December 31, 2026, the judgeship held by the
	1599	+	judge who received the fewest number of votes during the
	1600	+	general election held in 2020 is abolished.
	1601	+	(d) Beginning January 1, 2027, there are eight (8) judges of the
	1602	+	Monroe circuit court.
	1603	+	(e) The legislative body of the county may choose to abolish a
	1604	+	different judgeship than prescribed by subsection (c) by adopting
	1605	+	a resolution before January 1, 2026, designating which judgeship
	1606	+	held by which judge will be abolished. The legislative body may
	1607	+	only designate a judgeship held by a judge whose term expires on
	1608	+	December 31, 2026. If the legislative body adopts a resolution as
	1609	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151 39
	1610	+	described in this subsection, the judgeship held by the judge named
	1611	+	in the resolution is abolished on December 31, 2026.".
	1612	+	Page 11, delete lines 1 through 5.
	1613	+	Renumber all SECTIONS consecutively.
	1614	+	(Reference is to EHB 1144 as printed April 11, 2025.)
	1615	+	FREEMAN
	1616	+	EH 1144—LS 6663/DI 151