The North Dakota House of Representatives approved Senate Bill 2,002, the judicial-branch appropriation, after debate over judicial pay increases, information-technology investments and funding for court programs.

The bill funds the Supreme Court, district courts and the Judicial Conduct Commission and, according to the bill carrier, directs money to four categories: IT and operations, audio/visual equipment, long-overdue salary increases and enhancements to court programs. "This budget funds the judicial branch of our state government, which encompasses the Supreme court, the district courts and the judicial conduct commission," said Representative Hansen, the bill carrier for the Appropriations Committee. "The enhancements to the judiciary branch budget fall into 4 major categories, IT and operations, audio and visual equipment, long overdue salary increases, and enhancements to court programs."

Representative Hansen told the chamber the IT and operations package includes five additional IT staff, two administrative staff and one-time funding for a clerk-filing software, a Court Records Access System, cloud storage and case-management migration. The bill also provides roughly $1.6 million to begin replacing courtroom audio/video equipment on a rotating basis and a $100,000 allocation for new equipment in Cass County's courtroom. Hansen said the measure "brings the salaries for our Supreme Court Justices and our 55 district judges up to the national average," explaining that the changes move justices and judges toward the national midpoint.

Representative Koppelman questioned the size of the pay increases and whether the amounts were a one-time bump or part of an ongoing schedule. "So what's the total increase that we're proposing from what they're currently making?" he asked. Hansen replied the adjustments represent an 11.1% increase for Supreme Court justices, a 12.1% increase for the chief justice and a 7.7% increase for district judges, and said those figures represent the total change to reach the midpoint rather than an additional annual raise.

Members also discussed programmatic changes. Hansen said the bill enhances the guardian ad litem program by moving several contract workers to full-time status and by funding three new problem-solving courts: a mental-health court in Mandan, a veterans court in Fargo and an Indian child welfare court in Devil's Lake. The committee also amended the bill to move four new FTEs tied to a forthcoming standalone Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship to that new office and to transfer two existing judiciary employees there after a nine-month transition period.

Representative Twit briefly criticized the body for not supporting a recent judicial decision, saying higher salaries alone will not matter if the legislature does not back judges' rulings. Other lawmakers urged passage to attract applicants and preserve courtroom quality. Representative Nathie said judges "held their salaries flat for many, many, many years" and argued the increase was needed to recruit a better pool of applicants.

The House adopted the committee amendments on a recorded roll call and later gave final passage to Senate Bill 2,002. The final passage vote was recorded as 73 yeas and 19 nays; the bill was declared passed.

Votes at a glance: Amendments to Senate Bill 2,002 — adopted on a recorded roll call; Final passage of Senate Bill 2,002 — 73 yea, 19 nay.

The bill carrier said the pay adjustments and program funding are intended to address recruitment and modernization needs in the judicial branch; implementation details, including transfers to the new guardianship office, will follow in related legislation and administrative steps.