HF 3829 Summary

• Proposes constitutional amendment to change judicial selection system: governors appoint all judges, with retention determined by voter elections after performance evaluation by an independent judicial performance commission, rather than contested elections.

• Establishes 24-member Independent Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission to evaluate judge performance using written standards covering knowledge of law, integrity, impartiality, temperament, respect for litigants, administrative skill, punctuality, and communication skills.

• Commission composition includes 8 members appointed by governor (no more than 4 attorneys), 8 by Supreme Court with one designated chair (no more than 4 attorneys), and 8 by legislature sequentially (no more than 4 attorneys); all members must be Minnesota residents and attorneys must have 5+ years practice.

• Requires judges seeking retention to file affidavit of candidacy and undergo final evaluation including public hearing; commission rates judges as "well-qualified," "qualified," or "unqualified" for office; voters then decide retention on ballot question.

• Creates judicial performance evaluation fee of $1,200 paid by retention candidates at filing; establishes fee account in special revenue fund to support commission operations; amends campaign finance laws to regulate independent expenditures related to judicial retention elections.