This bill amends the Iowa Code to reform the structure and appointment process of magistrate appointing commissions, transitioning from a county-based system to one based on judicial election districts. Key changes include the establishment of a magistrate appointing commission for each judicial election district, which will consist of a district judge and representatives from each county within the district. The bill also modifies the commission's composition, allowing for the election of attorneys from the district and contiguous counties, and sets eligibility criteria for commission members, including prohibitions against voting for family members or business partners. Additionally, it introduces provisions for senior magistrates, defining their roles and responsibilities, and allows retired magistrates to serve under specific conditions.

In terms of compensation, the bill mandates a 5 percent salary increase for judicial officers (excluding magistrates) effective June 18, 2027, and sets magistrate salaries at 40 percent of a district associate judge's salary. It also repeals the requirement for a specific number of magistrates to be apportioned among counties, allowing the supreme court to determine the number of magistrates in each district based on a new formula. The bill includes administrative changes, such as the requirement for the supreme court to prescribe the contents of magistrate applications and adjustments to reimbursement responsibilities for commission members. Overall, these amendments aim to modernize the judicial appointment process and improve the compensation structure for judicial officers in Iowa.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 331.321, 331.502, 331.653, 556F.14, 602.1214, 602.6501, 602.1501, 602.2301, 602.6403, 602.6304, 602.6401, 602.6303, 602.6404, 602.6503, 806.2, 806.1, 602.1610, 602.9302