The State of the Judiciary will feature new Chief Justice Joel H. Bolger, and will happen between visits from Alaska’s U.S. senators.
Bolger will deliver the annual speech at 11 a.m. Feb. 20, according to an announcement in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. This is Bolger’s first year giving the address, which outlines changes and goals in the state’s court system. Bolger will address a joint session of the House and the Senate.
The address is in the middle of a three-day span of high-profile speakers. U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski will address a joint session of the House and Senate at 11 a.m. Feb. 19. U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan will address a joint session at 11 a.m. Feb. 21.
Bolger, Murkowski and Sullivan all requested these dates and times, and the Senate and House have approved them.
The Alaska Supreme Court elected Bolger last year, following former Chief Justice Craig Stowers’ retirement. Bolger’s term began July 1, 2018, and runs for three years.
Prior to sitting on the Supreme Court, Bolger served on the Alaska Court of Appeals for five years. He has been a judge since 1997, when he was appointed to the district court vacancy in Valdez. In 2003, he was named to the Kodiak Superior Court.
Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Craig Stowers calls out his staff sitting in the gallery during his State of the Judiciary address before a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
