Rules hearing held on proposed SDCL 16-6-15.2 amendment to add two judges to Second Circuit

A court hosted a rules hearing this morning on a proposed amendment to SDCL 16-6-15.2 that would increase the number of circuit judges in the Second Circuit from 12 to 14.

The change was presented by Unidentified Speaker 2 (Unidentified), who described it as "a very simple rule change" and said, "The legislature created 2 new positions in the second circuit. So this will, reflect that subsection 2 will be changed from 12 circuit judges to 14." He offered to answer questions and asked the court for approval.

Unidentified Speaker 1 (Unidentified) then asked whether any members of the court had questions and whether anyone wished to appear in support of or opposition to the rule. No questions were raised and no one identified themselves in either support or opposition. Unidentified Speaker 1 closed the hearing, noting there were no appearances.

The hearing record reflects presentation of the proposed amendment and an absence of public comment or formal objections during this proceeding. No formal vote or disposition was recorded during the hearing; the proponent requested approval but the transcript records only the presentation, the court's call for questions and public comment, and the conclusion of the rules hearing.

If adopted through the appropriate rule-making or statutory process, the change would reflect the legislature's creation of two new circuit judge positions and update the statutory count for the Second Circuit.