A bill for an act relating to magistrate judges, and including effective date provisions.

This bill (HSB 260) updates Iowa's rules for appointing and assigning magistrate judges. It requires each county to have at least one resident magistrate and creates a new formula for determining magistrate numbers based on estimated case workload, travel time, and administrative duties - not just population. The bill also allows chief judges to temporarily assign magistrates from other counties within the same judicial district to fill vacancies, provided the combined workload doesn't exceed 31% of a full-time position (a rule set to expire January 1, 2029). These changes apply directly to county magistrate appointing commissions, state court administrators, and judicial districts across Iowa.