Sec. 15. (a) The executive committee, with the approval of two-thirds (2/3) of the judges, shall determine the number of hearing judges, commissioners, referees, bail commissioners, court reporters, probation officers, and other personnel required to efficiently serve the court. The salaries of the personnel shall be fixed and paid as provided by law.

(b) The administrative officers shall perform the duties prescribed by the executive committee and shall operate under the jurisdiction of the executive committee and serve at the pleasure of the executive committee.

(c) The executive committee shall see that the court at all times is amply provided with supplies and sufficient clerical and other help, including extra reporters or bailiffs, when needed. Each judge shall appoint the judge's court reporters, bailiffs, secretary, commissioners, and clerks. In addition to the specified duties of this subsection, the executive committee shall exercise any other powers and duties that may be assigned to the executive committee by an order book entry signed by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the judges. At least once each month, a general term conference of all superior division judges must be held, at which the presiding judge shall preside. A special order book must be kept for the court in which shall be entered all special rules, proceedings, and similar matters. During an absence or a vacation of a judge who is a member of the executive committee, the senior superior court judge shall act for the absent member, if necessary.

(d) Notwithstanding any other law, a commissioner appointed under this chapter has all of the powers and duties prescribed for a magistrate under IC 33-23-5. However, the provisions of IC 33-23-5-11 requiring the state to pay the salary of a magistrate do not require the state to pay the salary of a commissioner appointed under this chapter.

(e) If a commissioner appointed under this chapter is appointed as a magistrate in Marion County, the salary of that magistrate shall be paid by the state under IC 33-23-5-11 in the same amount as other magistrates are paid.

(f) The allocation of appointments of commissioners under this chapter shall be determined by agreement between the judges of the superior court and the judge of the circuit court with consideration given to the case load of each court. However, notwithstanding any other law, at least two (2) of the commissioners appointed under this chapter shall be appointed by the judge of the circuit court.

(g) The:

(1) judge of the circuit court has exclusive authority to appoint commissioners allocated to the circuit court; and

(2) judges of the superior court have exclusive authority to appoint commissioners allocated to the superior court by a vote of the majority of the judges of the superior court.

(h) Not more than a simple majority of the commissioners appointed under this chapter may be from the same political party.

(i) A commissioner appointed by the:

(1) judge of the circuit court serves at the pleasure of the judge of the circuit court; and

(2) judges of the superior court continues in office until removed pursuant to local rule.

[Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-5.1-2-10.]

As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.71-2010, SEC.2; P.L.201-2011, SEC.76.