Bill would allow transfer of judgeship

The Judiciary Committee heard testimony Jan. 18 on a bill that would transfer a county court judgeship to another district.

LB790, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Colby Coash, would transfer a judgeship in the 5TH Judicial District County Court—located in Hamilton County—to the 3RD Judicial District County Court—located in Lancaster County.

Coash said caseloads in Hamilton County have decreased, so the Nebraska Judicial Resources Commission decided not to fill the vacant judgeship and instead transfer it to a district with a higher caseload.

Susan Strong, a Lancaster County judge, testified in support of the bill. She cited data from a recent caseload study showing that Hamilton County currently has six judgeships, but has a need for only 4.5 judgeships. Lancaster County currently has six judgeships, but has a need for 8.1 judgeships, she said.

No one testified in opposition and the committee took no immediate action on the bill.