ENGROSSED SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 21 - Summary

• Proposes a constitutional amendment to Article VII-B, Section 4 of the Oklahoma Constitution modifying the judicial appointment process for filling vacancies in judicial offices.

• Requires the Governor to submit names of potential judicial nominees to the Judicial Nominating Commission, which will rate them as "qualified" or "not qualified" within 90 days.

• Changes the appointment process so the Governor appoints a nominee (rather than choosing from three nominees) and the appointment must be confirmed by the Senate.

• Eliminates the provision allowing the Chief Justice to appoint a judge if the Governor fails to act within 60 days; instead establishes that Senate confirmation is required for all judicial appointments.

• Allows the Governor to call a special legislative session no more than once per quarter to obtain Senate confirmation of judicial appointments when the legislature is not in regular session.