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NY A05984
Bill
Status
2/25/2025
Primary Sponsor
Robert Carroll
Click for details
AI Summary
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Replaces judicial elections with a merit-based appointment system for judges of the supreme court, court of claims, county court, family court, surrogate's court, district court, and New York City civil and criminal courts
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Creates judicial nominating commissions for each judicial district outside NYC, one citywide commission for NYC, and one statewide commission to evaluate and recommend qualified candidates for judicial appointments
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Each commission consists of 13 at-large members appointed by the governor (4), chief judge (3), legislative leaders (4), state bar association president (1), and presiding appellate justice (1), plus regional members from each county
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Appointments require governor approval with senate confirmation; NYC family court, surrogate's court, and citywide court judges are nominated by the mayor and appointed by the governor with senate consent
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Current judges and justices retain their positions until their terms expire, with the new system taking effect September 1 following voter ratification of the constitutional amendment
Legislative Description
Establishes a system of merit selection of judges of the state's major trial courts instead of elections and for the designation of certain justices of the supreme court; affects certain courts including the supreme court, surrogate's court, the New York city civil court, the New York city criminal court and the district court.
Last Action
opinion referred to judiciary
1/30/2026