Courts across New Mexico will get nine additional judges under a proposal approved by the House.
The judiciary asked lawmakers for the judges to deal with case backlogs and help reduce delays in resolving lawsuits.
The House unanimously approved a bill on Thursday to provide $3.5 million next year for the judges and support staff.
The legislation provides district court judges in Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Lovington, Bernalillo and three in Albuquerque, along with a magistrate court judge in Las Cruces and a Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court judge.
A study of the court system's workload has found a need for 23 judges statewide.
The bill goes to the Senate for consideration.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.