Assembly passes bill targeting judges

CARSON CITY -- A bill requiring justices of the peace and Municipal Court judges to report periodically on their work habits cleared the Assembly Thursday on a 41-0 vote.

The law now requires reports on district judges on their cases decided and pending, the types of cases handled and the number of days the judge is in the courthouse. Assembly Bill 51 extends that to lower court judges.

The bill, which goes to the Senate, also creates the position of "chief judge" in Clark and Washoe counties. This post was previously called "presiding judge." It allows the chief judge to assign a district judge to work in the family courts temporarily if there is an overload of cases in that division.

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