HB 17-1303 Summary

• Establishes a comprehensive judicial performance evaluation system with an independent Office on Judicial Performance Evaluation in the Judicial Department, overseen by the State Commission on Judicial Performance.

• Creates an 11-member State Commission and 10-member District Commissions for each judicial district, appointed by legislative leaders, the Governor, and the Chief Justice, to evaluate judges, justices, and senior judges.

• Requires evaluations based on six performance criteria: integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and public.

• Mandates retention year evaluations and interim evaluations with recommendations of "meets performance standard" or "does not meet performance standard," with results released to the public before retention elections.

• Establishes the State Commission on Judicial Performance Cash Fund, funded by docket fee increases and federal/private grants, to support the evaluation system and appropriates $24,500 for the 2017-18 fiscal year.