Court system asks Legislature to add a superior court judge in Palmer, citing heavy caseloads The Alaska Court System told the Senate Finance Committee that Palmer superior court judges carry far heavier caseloads than the statewide average and asked for an amendment to AS 22.10.120 to add one judge to the 3rd Judicial District; fiscal notes identify first‑year and ongoing personnel costs but no vote was taken.

The Alaska Court System is pushing for a new superior court judge in Palmer, where judges are overwhelmed with an astonishing 683 cases each—far above the state average!

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Panel advances bill to add superior court judge for Palmer; Department of Law fiscal note disclosed The House Judiciary Committee reported House Bill 262 out of committee after Nancy Mead, general counsel for the Alaska Court System, testified there is a demonstrated need for another superior court judge in Palmer; Representative Cotton noted the Department of Law provided a fiscal note of $303,000 that will be attached to the bill.

Alaska's court system is facing a pressing need for a new superior court judge in Palmer, as lawmakers push forward with House Bill 262 to address the growing caseload crisis.

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Court system asks Legislature for a fifth Palmer Superior Court judge, citing heavy caseloads Court counsel told the House Judiciary Committee that House Bill 262 would add one Superior Court judge to the 3rd Judicial District (Palmer) — increasing statewide judges from 45 to 46 — citing Palmer’s per‑judge caseload of 683 in FY25 versus a statewide average of 458 and a 56% rise in filings since 2006.

Palmer's Superior Court is overwhelmed, with judges handling nearly 50% more cases than the state average—will House Bill 262 bring the relief they desperately need?

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