House File 2706 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. The bill replaces references to "county" with "judicial election district," establishing a commission in each district that includes representatives from each county and elected attorneys. It also introduces new eligibility criteria for magistrates, including a maximum age limit of seventy-eight years at the time of appointment. Additionally, the bill allows for the assignment of magistrates to fill vacancies in other counties within the district, provided the workload is manageable, and establishes a priority system for appointing magistrates who have served in the term immediately preceding August 1, 2027.

Furthermore, the bill creates provisions for senior magistrates, allowing retired magistrates to serve in a senior capacity under specific criteria, including a written election filed with the clerk of the supreme court. It establishes a salary structure for senior magistrates set at $4,234, along with a five percent salary increase for judicial officers, excluding judicial magistrates, effective June 18, 2027. The salary for judicial magistrates will be set at forty percent of the salary rate of a district associate judge, with funding for these increases sourced from appropriations to the judicial branch. The effective date for these changes is November 1, 2026, with certain provisions taking effect immediately upon enactment.

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
Reprinted: 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
Enrolled: 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