Bill seeks to send big legal cases to statewide judges

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – For years, some Kentucky lawmakers have complained that circuit judges in Frankfort wield too much power in deciding big legal cases. On Monday, Republican lawmakers started advancing a bill aimed at spreading those cases to other judges across the state.

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the bill over objections from Chief Justice John D. Minton Jr. The bill’s sponsor is Senate President Robert Stivers.

The measure could apply to lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of a state law.

It would allow a random drawing to determine where a case is heard if state officials who are defendants request it. Those cases now often end up in Franklin County Circuit Court in Frankfort.

Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd drew criticism last year from state leaders who backed a pension overhaul that he struck down.