Brief⁽¹⁾

H.B. 2206 would replace the term Administrative with the word Chief in all statutory references to the head district court judge.

Background

The bill was requested by the Office of Judicial Administration. District Court Judge Paul Buchanan testified in support of H.B. 2206. Currently, the district judge who has been designated to be responsible for the district's supervisory and administrative duties is referred to as an Administrative Judge. This title was first used following the unification of the Kansas courts in 1977. However, this title is often confused with the title of Administrative Law Judge. There is a distinct difference in the nature and caseloads of these two judicial officers. Judge Buchanan testified that the title of Chief would be consistent with other courts in the state and nation.

The bill has no fiscal impact on the state.

1. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/bill_search.html.