HB 1041 Summary

• Changes the four judges of Lake Superior Court's county division from elected positions to appointed positions nominated by the Lake County judicial nominating commission and appointed by the governor.

• Judges appointed under the new system serve an initial term through December 31 in the year of the general election following two years after appointment, then successive six-year terms.

• Removes the exception that allowed county division judges to campaign for elective office and participate in political campaigns, bringing them under the same restrictions as other judges.

• Existing judges serving under the previous election system retain their terms until the original termination date, with retention questions placed on the ballot at the next general election before their terms expire.

• Effective dates: June 30, 2011 for transitional provisions and July 1, 2011 for amended statutory provisions.