A legislative effort to broaden judicial proceedings involving state government officials to courts outside Frankfort won Senate backing Thursday. Senate President Robert Stivers says the bill allows for the random selection of a presiding judge outside of Franklin County.
He cited an example during Senate debate. “Where a person is injured in one county and dies in another. I actually remember trying a case where we all had to get transferred back from Fayette County to Clay County because the person by emergency transport was delivered from Clay County to the Chandler Medical Center. These are instances that it is permissible and we do establish venue.”
Stivers told his colleagues the measure is not a new concept. Former Senate President David Williams had expressed concerns about rulings coming out of Franklin Circuit Court more than a decade ago.
Senate Minority Floor Leader Morgan McGarvey of Louisville argued it gives a special right to government officials not available to other citizens. “The courts cannot direct the Senate on where to assign bills in committee. And the Senate shouldn’t direct the courses on how judges are assigned to hear cases,” said McGarvey.
Grayson Senator Robin Webb also voted no, saying the legislation is too broad and could involve any employee of a state agency. Lexington Senator Reggie Thomas called the bill inherently unconstitutional, arguing that it sets up a separate court system just for government officials.
