SB 1393 revises Missouri law governing the number and structure of judges in the 11th Judicial Circuit, which consists of St. Charles County. The bill repeals and reenacts section 478.600 to update the circuit’s authorized judgeships and election schedule. It preserves the existing circuit judge divisions, confirms the conversion of certain commissioner positions into judgeships, and adds future judgeships on a staged timeline.
Under the bill, the 11th Judicial Circuit would ultimately have more judges than under current law. It provides for two additional circuit judges beginning January 1, 2029, bringing the total to eight circuit judges, and adds one additional associate circuit judge position in 2028. The bill also restates earlier provisions that converted family court commissioner and treatment court commissioner positions into judicial offices and that added associate circuit judge positions in prior fiscal years. The affected statute is section 478.600, RSMo, and the practical effect is to expand judicial capacity in St. Charles County over time.
Impact
The bill amends Missouri’s judicial-organization statute for the 11th Judicial Circuit by increasing the number of authorized circuit and associate circuit judges and by updating the division structure and election timing for those offices. It affects the administration of courts in St. Charles County, including family court and treatment court functions that are tied to judicial staffing. No other counties or statewide judicial circuits are directly changed, but the bill would alter how this circuit is staffed and funded when the new positions take effect.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript or vote history, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to gauge broad sentiment. Based on the bill’s caption and structure, the measure appears to be a routine judicial staffing expansion rather than a controversial policy change. The absence of recorded opposition or amendments in the provided materials suggests the bill was presented as an administrative adjustment to court workload and capacity.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential issues, if raised, would likely concern the cost of adding judgeships, the timing of the new positions, and whether the St. Charles County circuit has demonstrated sufficient caseload growth to justify expansion. Another possible point of discussion is that several positions are designated to be filled in future election cycles and are excluded from the general statutory formula for additional judgeships, which could draw scrutiny from those concerned about precedent or allocation of judicial resources.
Modifies provisions relating to judges of the Supreme Court and of the Court of Appeals, including length of terms, term limits, and nonpartisan elections