HB 1426 revises Missouri law governing the number and structure of judges in the 11th Judicial Circuit. The bill repeals the existing section and replaces it with a new version that increases the number of circuit judges in that circuit from six to seven beginning August 28, 2025. It also specifies that the new judgeship will be designated as Division 17, with the governor appointing the first judge to serve until January 1, 2029, and a successor to be elected in 2028.
The bill also restates and preserves earlier structural changes to the circuit’s bench, including the conversion of certain commissioner positions into judge positions and the creation of additional associate circuit judge positions in prior fiscal years. It clarifies that some of these positions are excluded from the general statutory formula used to authorize additional judgeships under section 478.320.
Impact
HB 1426 would amend section 478.600, RSMo, affecting the organization of the 11th Judicial Circuit by adding one circuit judge and maintaining the circuit’s existing division structure. The bill would directly affect judicial administration, caseload distribution, and the appointment/election process for judges in that circuit, while leaving the broader statewide judgeship formula largely unchanged by expressly excluding the new judgeship from section 478.320 calculations.
Sentiment
The available context suggests generally neutral-to-supportive sentiment, with the bill presented as a straightforward administrative change to add judicial capacity in the 11th Judicial Circuit. There are no recorded committee transcripts or votes indicating opposition or controversy, and the bill caption frames it as a targeted expansion of the circuit bench rather than a broader policy dispute.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. The only potentially sensitive issue implied by the text is the creation of an additional judgeship outside the normal statutory formula, which could raise questions about judicial workload, costs, and whether the circuit merits a new seat, but no member comments or recorded votes are available to show active disagreement.