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IN SB0079
Bill
Status
1/3/2017
Primary Sponsor
James Merritt
Click for details
AI Summary
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Establishes a 14-member Marion County judicial selection committee to nominate candidates for Marion superior court judge vacancies, with the governor appointing one of three nominees submitted by the committee.
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Committee membership includes four legislative appointees, six attorney members from various bar associations and legal organizations, two political party appointees, and two ex officio members from state courts.
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Judges serve six-year terms divided into three retention classes with staggered expiration dates beginning in 2018, 2020, and 2022.
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Judges seeking retention must file a statement and appear before the committee, which issues public recommendations on whether judges are qualified and should be retained in office.
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Retention questions are placed on general election ballots for Marion County voters to approve or reject, with a majority vote determining whether a judge continues in office or the position becomes vacant.
Legislative Description
Marion County courts. Provides for the selection of Marion superior court (court) judges. Establishes the 14 member Marion County judicial selection committee (committee). Provides that, when the committee learns of a vacancy on the court, the committee follows certain procedures that conclude in the committee sending the names of three nominees to the governor. Requires the governor to appoint one of the nominees as judge to fill the vacancy. Provides that, at the end of a judge's term on the court, the judge may have the question of the judge's retention on the court placed on the general election ballot.
Last Action
Senator Ruckelshaus added as second author
1/17/2017