S.F. 2253 Section 1. Section 602.4201, subsection 1, Code Supplement 1 2009, is amended to read as follows: 2 1. The supreme court may prescribe all rules of pleading, 3 practice, evidence, and procedure, and the forms of process, 4 writs, and notices, for all proceedings in all courts of 5 this state, for the purposes of simplifying the proceedings 6 and promoting the speedy determination of litigation upon 7 its merits. The supreme court may also prescribe rules 8 allowing judicial officers, at the discretion of the judicial 9 officer, to conduct hearings using video conferencing to meet 10 statutory in-person requirements. The rules prescribing video 11 conferencing shall allow a party to make an application to the 12 court requesting the hearing be in the presence of the judicial 13 officer. 14 EXPLANATION 15 This bill relates to conducting court hearings by video 16 conference. 17 Under the bill, the supreme court may prescribe rules 18 allowing a judicial officer, at the discretion of such officer, 19 to conduct hearings using video conferencing to meet statutory 20 in-person requirements. If a judicial officer orders a hearing 21 by video conferencing, the rules shall allow a party to make an 22 application requesting the hearing be in the presence of the 23 judicial officer. 24 -1- LSB 5710SV (1) 83 jm/nh 1/ 1