03/22/2010 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE

SENATE BILL NO. 246                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act increasing the number of superior court judges                                                                     
     designated for the third judicial district; and                                                                            
     providing for an effective date."                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
9:12:08 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stedman reported  that the  bill was  requested by                                                                    
the Court System  and introduced by the  Rules Committee. It                                                                    
is  the  second  hearing  on  the  bill.  The  Court  System                                                                    
provided information  in a letter dated  March 16, detailing                                                                    
the number of  cases filed per district and  how many judges                                                                    
have been added in the last ten years (copy on file).                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
DOUG   WOOLIVER,  ADMINISTRATIVE   ATTORNEY,  ALASKA   COURT                                                                    
SYSTEM,   explained   that   the   Court   System   provided                                                                    
information going  back to 2000  listing all  superior court                                                                    
filings  by  district. The  numbers  vary  by district.  The                                                                    
third district, where  a judge is being  requested, has seen                                                                    
an increase in  case filings. The request for  the judge has                                                                    
more to  do with  the additional work  load rather  than the                                                                    
number of cases.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stedman reviewed  the two  fiscal notes,  one zero                                                                    
note from the Judicial Council  and one fiscal note from the                                                                    
Court  System for  $499,100  in general  funds  for the  new                                                                    
judge and support staff.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Wooliver   voiced  appreciation  for   the  committee's                                                                    
consideration of the bill.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
9:13:54 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Hoffman  MOVED to  report SB  246 out  of Committee                                                                    
with individual recommendations  and the accompanying fiscal                                                                    
notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
SB 246 was REPORTED out  of Committee with no recommendation                                                                    
and with FN 1 CRT and zero FN 2 CRT.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
9:14:32 AM