(

a) The Legislature finds that there is a shortage of judicial officers available to provide temporary assistance to courts in rural counties, under assignment by the chief justice. When courts are unable to obtain temporary assistance, delay of both civil trials and case settlements occur. The availability of an assigned judge can substantially reduce these delays. The purpose of this

section is to make judicial assistance more available. (

b) The Judicial Council shall contract with up to retired judges who shall be available to be assigned up to court days each year by the Chairperson of the Judicial Council to courts in counties that have requested these judges for purposes of reducing delays in civil trials in those courts. If counties request more than retired judges pursuant to this section, the Judicial Council shall give priority in assigning the retired judges to counties with fewer than judges. A judge under contract pursuant to this

section shall serve as assigned during the period of the contract and waives any right to refuse assignment as otherwise provided by law. This

section shall not be construed to limit the authority of the Chief Justice to make assignments to expedite judicial business and to equalize the workload of judges. (

c) Notwithstanding

Section 68543.5, each judge under contract pursuant to this

section shall receive one-half of the daily salary of a superior court judge for each day of service, in addition to any retirement benefits to which the judge may be entitled. (

d) The assigned judge’s salary shall be paid by the state. A retired judge under contract pursuant to this

section shall be allowed expenses for travel, board, and lodging incurred in the discharge of each assignment. When assigned to sit in the county in which he or she resides, the judge shall be allowed necessary and reasonable expenses for travel and board incurred in the discharge of the assignment. The expenses for travel, board, and lodging shall be paid by the state under the rules adopted by the Department of General Services that are applicable to officers of the state provided for in

Article VI of the California Constitution while traveling on official state business.