Legislation adding a second family court judge in Christian County and another circuit judge in Trigg, Caldwell, Livingston and Lyon counties passed the general assembly, but some local lawmakers had issues with the bill.
State Representative Myron Dossett of Pembroke represented parts of Hopkins County before legislative redistricting left Hopkins County temporarily without representation and says while he is glad Christian County will receive another much-needed family court judge, he voted against the bill because it eventually eliminates a district court judge in Hopkins.
The amended version of the bill that passed actually postpones the elimination of 9 district judges in Kentucky from 2027 until 2031, four years farther out than the Kentucky Supreme Court recommendation, which Senator Whitney Westerfield believes is unconstitutional.
Westerfield believes the changes are warranted and hopes there will eventually be more comprehensive legislative redistricting in Kentucky.
Representative Walker Thomas, who represents parts of Christian and Trigg and all of Caldwell counties, supports the bill and says the General Assembly can revisit the elimination of the nine district judges in the future, if need be.
Once the bill becomes law, there will be judicial elections in the counties where judges were added this year to fill the seats.