Amends GS 7A-52 to allow emergency judges to be assigned in the event of a court coverage need determined by the chief district court judge, in addition to the existing grounds for assignment due to needs created by holdover sessions, administrative responsibilities of the chief, or cases in which a judge has a conflict or judicial educational responsibilities. 

Appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to the Administrative Office of the Courts for 2022-23 to pay for the costs of emergency judges. Effective July 1, 2022.