SB373

Senate Bill 373 seeks to reorganize the district court system in Arkansas and Monroe counties by establishing the Sixteenth Judicial District of the state district court system. The bill repeals existing statutes that govern local district courts in Arkansas and Monroe counties to consolidate their operations under this new district. Furthermore, the bill provides for the addition of a second state district court judgeship for the Sixteenth Judicial District, with the two judges designated as Division 1 and Division 2. These judges will be elected districtwide and exercise districtwide jurisdiction. The bill mandates that the new judgeships take effect on January 1, 2025, and be included in the 2024 nonpartisan judicial election. Finally, the legislation outlines the specific department locations throughout the two counties that will fall under the purview of this reorganized judicial district.