Bill sponsors Rep. Jim Butler (left) and Rep. Michael Stinziano (right) look on as Gov. John Kasich signs bill to modernize Ohio Court of Claims.

Bill sponsors Rep. Jim Butler (left) and Rep. Michael Stinziano (right) look on as Gov. John Kasich signs bill to modernize Ohio Court of Claims.

Governor John Kasich has signed legislation that will make several changes to the structure of the Court of Claims of Ohio.

The Court of Claims is given original jurisdiction to hear and determine all civil actions filed against the Ohio and its agencies. The court also hears appeals of attorney general decisions on reimbursement claims filed by victims of crime.

In a ceremony on April 29 at the Ohio Statehouse, the governor put his signature to H.B. 261 that will, among other things, eliminate Court of Claims commissioners.

Currently, crime victims' appeals are heard and determined by a panel of three commissioners who are appointed by the Supreme Court for six-year terms. Under H.B. 261, the commissioners’ positions are eliminated and appeals will be handled by magistrates.

“The changes to the Court of Claims statutes reflect best practices and create administrative efficiencies that will result in cost savings,” Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor said.

Other provisions in the new law would lower the pay rate for Court of Claims judges, add a provision to give the Supreme Court Chief Justice authority to decide if a Court of Claims judge should be disqualified, and re-establish the Supreme Court’s authority to reimburse local courts for the cost of using an acting judge. The amendment also gives the Court greater oversight of the use of acting judges.

The changes will take effect on July 10, 2014.

Chief Justice O’Connor said the modernization legislation is the latest in a series of advancements for the Court of Claims.

The Court of Claims in 2012 eliminated backlogs and cut costs by more than half a million dollars, according to the court’s 2012 annual report.

In September, the court for the first time launched a pilot program for streaming select cases on the Internet in an effort to increase transparency and public understanding of its proceedings.

In February, the Ohio Association for Justice recognized former Clerk Mark Reed and Chief Justice O’Connor for the reduced time it takes the Court of Claims to decide cases and other efficiencies.