NC H279

Increases the number of district court judges in District 23 from 4 to 5 judges, covering Alleghany, Ashe, Wilkes, and Yadkin counties.

Mandates residency requirements for the five judgeships: one judge must reside in Ashe County, one in Yadkin County, and three in Wilkes County.

Requires qualified voters of District 23 to elect all five judges, with candidacy restricted to residents of the respective counties as specified.

Appropriates $109,223 in fiscal year 2020-2021 and $198,588 in fiscal year 2021-2022 to the Administrative Office of the Courts for implementation.

Makes Section 1 effective January 1, 2021, with the 2020 elections conducted under the new five-judge structure; remainder of the act effective July 1, 2020.