AL HB637

Proposes a constitutional amendment to establish the Lee County Judicial Commission to nominate individuals to fill vacancies in the circuit court and district court judge positions in Lee County.

Commission consists of eight members: the presiding judge of the Circuit Court of Lee County (nonvoting ex officio member except to break ties), six attorneys from the Lee County Bar Association with specialized practice areas (criminal prosecution, criminal defense, domestic relations, civil defense litigation, civil plaintiff litigation, and probate law), and one non-lawyer resident appointed by mutual consent of Lee County's legislative members.

The seven attorney members are nominated by the Lee County Bar Association Executive Committee and elected by members of the Lee County Bar Association with primary practice in Lee County; the non-lawyer member is appointed by mutual consent of Lee County legislators.

When a vacancy occurs, the commission nominates three qualified individuals by majority vote, and the Governor selects one for appointment; if the Governor fails to appoint within 30 days, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court makes the appointment.

Commission members serve six-year terms with a two-consecutive-term limit, receive no compensation, and are prohibited from holding elected public office, political party positions, or seeking judicial appointment while serving.