FL S1352

Requires the chief administrative law judge to appoint administrative law judges from nominees recommended by a statewide nominating commission composed of nine members appointed by the Governor, Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, and Commissioner of Agriculture.

Prohibits administrative law judges from engaging in private law practice during their term of office and requires 5 years of Florida Bar membership in good standing as a prerequisite.

Establishes 4-year terms for administrative law judges with performance reviews by the nominating commission before term expiration; chief administrative law judge may remove judges for cause or decline reappointment.

Provides staggered initial appointments beginning July 1, 2018, with eight judges appointed to 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year terms and nine judges to 4-year terms to create rolling vacancies.

Makes meetings and determinations of the nominating commission open to the public and requires the commission to be administratively housed within the Division of Administrative Hearings.