Panel advances bill to add superior court judge for Palmer; Department of Law fiscal note disclosed

Nancy Mead, general counsel for the Alaska Court System, told the House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 26 that House Bill 262 is needed to add a superior court judge in Palmer. Mead said the court system recognizes the state's limited resources but described a shortfall of judges that affects the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and statewide caseloads: "there is indeed a need for a new ... superior court judge in Palmer."

Representative Cotton noted that the Department of Law provided a fiscal note for the bill of $303,000 and said the note will be attached. Cotton said he supports the position, adding that the public defender had signaled likely interest in the matter.

With no amendments filed by the deadline, a committee member moved that HB 262 be reported out of the Judiciary Committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal notes; hearing no objection, the chair reported the bill out of committee and indicated the paperwork would be completed. The committee did not record a roll-call vote on the motion.

The bill will continue through the legislative process and may require additional appropriations or administrative steps to implement an additional judgeship if enacted.