STATEHOUSE—Rep. Woody Burton’s (R-Whiteland) legislation adding a long-awaited fourth Johnson County Superior Court Judge – House Bill (HB) 1092 – has passed the Indiana Senate unanimously today. Another piece of legislation authored by Rep. Burton dealing with financial institutions and consumer credit – HB 1239 – also passed unanimously today. After petitioning the Commission on Courts during the previous interim, HB 1092 was drafted to allow a fourth judge in Johnson County’s Superior Court. Pursuant to a Senate amendment, the fourth judge would not be established until the rehabilitation of a fourth Johnson County Superior Court building is complete – expected January 1, 2015. “The workload within our existing courts in Johnson County has required a fourth judge for some time now, so I’m pleased that this legislation is advancing through the process this session,” said Rep. Burton. “An additional judge would take some of the workload off of the existing judges, which will expedite the judiciary process making our existing courts more productive.” HB 1092 was altered in Senate discussion, so it now returns to the House for approval. If approved, it will be sent to the governor’s office for his signature to be signed into law. Also passing through the Senate was HB 1239 to update and align the Department of Financial Institution (DFI) and Indiana law in accordance with certain federal financial mandates. More specifically, HB 1239 would allow the DFI to impose a regulation, rule or policy to allow credit unions to purchase and hold certain life insurance policies, while also establishing a procedure for revoking licenses held by pawnbrokers, money transmitters and check cashers. HB 1239 would allow DFI board members to participate in meetings remotely. HB 1239 now heads to the governor’s desk to be signed into law. -30- |
