Jackson County Circuit Court will get an additional judge thanks to legislation meant to help counties with the greatest need for more judicial seats.

Senate Bill 1541, which was awaiting Gov. Tina Kotek’s signature on Monday, will add by July 1 an 11th judge for Jackson County, a 16th for Washington County and a 12th for Clackamas County. 

Jackson County Circuit Court Presiding Judge Benjamin Bloom applauded the legislation, which he supported in testimony to lawmakers.

“I think (the position) is greatly needed,” Bloom said in an interview. “It will greatly increase the court’s ability to resolve cases in a timely manner and reduce (case) backloads.”

The additional judicial seat is Jackson County’s first since 2019.

The county’s circuit court could have gained an additional judge last year, but Senate Bill 235, which Bloom supported, did not pass.

That bill, as well as SB 1541, came at the request of the Oregon Supreme Court’s chief justice, who has the ability to introduce legislation stating the number of additional circuit court judges and where they will be located.

The request was made for the Oregon Judicial Department, which oversees the state’s circuit court system. The department conducted a workload assessment of each court and found that Jackson County needs six judges. 

“We have the greatest need in the state,” Bloom said.  

Even with the passage of SB 1541, the county still needs five more judges, according to Phillip Lemman, deputy state court administrator for the OJD.

Lemman said the workload assessment includes a time study for each type of case, which is compared to the number of filings in each court.

“That’s how we generate the assessment of how many judicial positions that court needs,” Lemman said.

While Jackson County did not get six more judges as a result of the legislation, Lemman is pleased with lawmakers’ work.

“We’re very grateful the Legislature recognized the need for more judges to better serve the people of Jackson County,” Lemman said. “They (lawmakers) didn’t solve the problem, but they certainly helped address the problem.”