MS HB1208

Increases the annual office operating allowance for circuit judges and chancellors from $9,000 to $80,000 per fiscal year per judge for support staff funding.

Support staff funding allocation was previously $40,000 per judge; this bill doubles that amount to $80,000 per judge for compensation of court administrators, law clerks, legal research assistants, and secretaries.

Maintains existing provisions requiring judges to submit personnel plans to the Administrative Office of Courts for approval before hiring support staff.

Clarifies that support staff employees work at the pleasure of the appointing judge(s) but are technically employed by the Administrative Office of Courts.

Takes effect upon passage.