HJR 1016 Summary

• Proposes constitutional amendment allowing the General Assembly to determine whether Court of Appeals judges, circuit court judges, district court judges, and prosecuting attorneys are selected on a partisan or nonpartisan basis, with partisan selection as the default effective January 1, 2017.

• Establishes a 15-member Judicial Nominating Commission to nominate candidates for Supreme Court vacancies, consisting of 5 gubernatorial appointees, 6 members elected by the Arkansas Bar Association, and 4 legislative members.

• Creates a retention election process for Supreme Court Justices, allowing justices to seek retention by filing a declaration of candidacy 120 days before a general election, with voters determining retention via yes/no ballot question.

• Modifies Supreme Court vacancy filling procedures so the Governor appoints one of three nominees from the Judicial Nominating Commission, with the President Pro Tempore of the Senate making the appointment if the Governor fails to act within 60 days; appointments require Senate confirmation.

• Transitions current judges and justices serving at the time of adoption to continue under existing terms, while new selections follow the amended merit selection and partisan/nonpartisan election provisions, effective January 1, 2017.