The bill to address the JP appointment and qualifications problems has been released and the hearing is this Wednesday, March 11th at 10:30AM.
Please plan to submit written testimony in support of the bill. And, if you are able to testify orally, either in person or virtually, please do! Now we need your help to support efforts and get this legislation passed.
Sign-up to speak or submit written testimony in Support of HB5509
- Register to speak in-person or by Zoom. Deadline to sign-up is 3PM Tuesday. Three minute time limit. The speaker order is randomized and is released at 6PM on Tuesday night.
- Submit your written testimony here. The hearing is on March 11, 2025 at 10:30AM. Indicate that you SUPPORT HB5509.
- See our template to guide your written and oral testimony
HB5509, An Act Concerning Justices of the Peace
The Justice of the Peace Association worked with the state legislators who introduced the bill, along with Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas on the language of the bill. Representative Eleni Kavros DeGraw, Co-Chair of Planning and Development Committee, introduced HB5509 in 2026. This bill is more simple compared to previous year’s legislation. There are five points:
- require the Secretary of the State to publish a manual concerning the duties of justices of the peace
- prohibit misconduct by justices of the peace
- specify that a newly created office of justice of the peace may be filled by appointment prior to the next regular election
- require a forty-eight hour waiting period before the issuance of a marriage license
- establish a working group concerning justices of the peace
Zoom Q&A Scheduled Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 7:30PM
Questions? Join JPus’ Managing Member Loretta Jay on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 7:30PM for more information about the proposed bill, guidance on how to submit written testimony and how to testify in person or by Zoom. Members and non-members are welcome.
- If you are on JPus’ email distribution list, please check your email for the Zoom links.
- If you don’t receive our emails yet, you can sign up here. A reminder will be sent on Sunday at 3PM with the link. If you missed that deadline, please email [email protected] to receive the Zoom link.
Related Links
- How-to Testify in support of the bill, with written sample
- The Justice of the Peace Association’s white paper
- The legislative backstory.
- JPus 2023 Managing Member’s testimony to the Planning and Development Committee that summarizes the problem.
- Member Support article about how to advocate to support legislation