CS/HB 753 Summary

• Transfers appointment authority for four Florida Bar members on judicial nominating commissions from the Governor to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House, with each legislative leader appointing two members.

• Establishes a three-step nomination process where the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar recommends three qualified candidates, the legislative leader publishes the list and accepts public comments for 30 days, then submits three nominees to the Governor for final selection.

• Allows the Governor to reject all recommended nominees and request a new list of three different candidates from the Board of Governors if dissatisfied with initial recommendations.

• Creates specific appointment allocation rules for Supreme Court and district/circuit court commissions, alternating between the Senate President and House Speaker for vacant positions based on court numbering (even or odd).

• Takes effect January 8, 2019.