TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas judge has put on hold his order striking down a policy imposed on the courts in a move that protects the judicial branch’s budget.

Shawnee County District Judge Larry Hendricks issued a stay Thursday at Attorney General Derek Schmidt’s request.

Hendricks on Wednesday struck down a 2014 law having district court judges instead of the Kansas Supreme Court pick chief judges in each of the state’s 31 judicial districts. Hendricks said the law violated the state constitution by infringing on the Supreme Court’s power to administer the courts.

Legislators this year passed another law nullifying the judicial branch’s entire budget if the policy change was struck down.

Schmidt has promised to appeal Hendricks’ decision Wednesday, and the stay will remain in effect in the meantime.

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt is asking a state judge to put on hold his order striking down a policy imposed on the courts to protect the judicial branch’s budget.

Schmidt filed the request Thursday with Shawnee County District Judge Larry Hendricks.

Hendricks on Wednesday struck down a 2014 law having district court judges instead of the Kansas Supreme Court pick chief judges in each of the state’s 31 judicial districts. Hendricks said the law violated the state constitution by infringing on the Supreme Court’s power to administer the courts.

Legislators this year passed another law nullifying the judicial branch’s entire budget if the policy change was struck down.

Schmidt noted that any court ruling doesn’t take effect for two weeks and promised in his filing to appeal Hendricks’ ruling.