SB 2277 Summary

• Transfers clerk of district court positions from county employment to state judicial system employment beginning January 1, 2024, in all counties except those with elected clerks; elected clerks transition to state employment upon term expiration.

• Eliminates the requirement for county auditors to serve as ex officio clerk of district court in consolidated office counties when the clerk is a state employee.

• Appropriates $13,799,866 to the judicial branch for the 2023-2025 biennium and authorizes 63 full-time equivalent positions to fund the transfer of county clerk staff and associated equipment, technology, and administrative support.

• Removes references to "clerks of court" and "deputy clerks" from county officer appointment and salary provisions, replacing them with state employment terminology.

• Repeals section 27-05.2-07 relating to clerks of court and updates fee deposit procedures to distinguish between state-employed and county-employed clerks.