NC S849

Expands grounds for assigning emergency judges to include court coverage needs created by holdover sessions, administrative responsibilities of the chief district court judge, cases with judicial conflicts, judicial educational responsibilities, or as determined by the chief district court judge.

Allows the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to assign emergency district, superior, or special superior court judges from active lists to hold regular or special court sessions as needed.

Maintains limits on active emergency judge lists: 10 combined emergency superior and special superior court judges, and 25 emergency district court judges; no limit on inactive lists.

Appropriates $500,000 in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund to the Administrative Office of the Courts for the 2022-2023 fiscal year to pay emergency judge costs.

Appropriations provision becomes effective July 1, 2022; remaining provisions become effective upon enactment.