Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends the process for nominating appellate judges.

Highlights:

• Requires the Judicial Nominating Commission to, when a vacancy in any judicial office or intermediate appellate court arise, determine that all constitutional and statutory qualifications for office are met, investigate criminal and financial backgrounds, and submit to the Governor and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court a list of 3 chosen nominees (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the Commission to include a merit score for each application of 1 through 10, with 10 being the highest score (Sec. 1).

• Requires all appointments to Judicial Office or to an intermediate appellate court to be confirmed by a select committee of 5 members from the House of Representatives and 5 members of the Senate (Sec. 1).

• Amends the terms lengths of the 6 lay members of the Judicial Nominating Commission to not be a specific number of years, but to be until they are replaced by the governor (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the members of the Judicial Nominating Commission appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall serve until replacements are appointed (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text