FL S0856

Transfers appointment authority for lawyer members of judicial nominating commissions from the Governor to the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar, reducing lawyer positions from four to three members.

Restructures commissions to include three lawyer members appointed by The Florida Bar, three non-lawyer electors appointed by the Governor, and three non-lawyer electors appointed by majority vote of the other six members.

Requires at least one member from each of the three categories to be a member of a racial or ethnic minority group or a woman to promote diversity.

Mandates that if commissions are not compliant with diversity requirements by July 1, 2011, every other appointment must be a racial or ethnic minority member or woman until diversity standards are met.

Takes effect July 1, 2011.