INDIANA—A controversial bill currently moving through the Indiana legislature could eliminate judicial positions in twelve counties across the state, including Greene and Monroe counties. The proposed cuts are part of a cost-saving measure initiated by the state Senate, which added an amendment to an existing bill.
Indiana Senate Bill 1144, originally intended to add judges in growing counties, was amended to eliminate judgeships in eleven mostly rural counties. The bill passed 33-16 by the Indiana Senate on Tuesday, April 15.
House Bill 1144 — which adds judges and magistrates in Elkhart, Hamilton, Lawrence, and Vigo counties — has progressed through the entire session without language to abolish the courts.
Then on April 10, hours before a committee deadline, an amendment was added in the Senate Appropriations Committee eliminating one court each in the following counties: Blackford, Carroll, Gibson, Greene, Jennings, Monroe, Newton, Owen, Pulaski, Rush, and Scott. Additionally, the bill proposes removing six juvenile magistrate positions within Marion County.
According to state officials, these eliminations are projected to generate significant savings for the state. Estimates indicate a reduction in expenditures of approximately $749,000 in Fiscal Year 2027, with potential savings escalating to as much as $2.7 million by Fiscal Year 2032.
The Senate’s decision has sparked debate, with proponents arguing for fiscal responsibility by streamlining judicial resources. At the same time, opponents raise concerns about the potential impact on access to justice and the increased caseloads for remaining judges. It’s worth noting that the specific criteria used to determine which counties would face these cuts have not been explicitly detailed in public statements. The size of the current judicial staff, caseload statistics, and population density are likely factors that were taken into consideration.
The bill now returns to the Indiana House of Representatives, where it originated. The House will need to consider the Senate’s amendments, including the contentious judicial eliminations, before the bill can potentially move forward to the Governor’s desk for final approval.
