HJR 1025 Summary

• Refers proposed amendment to Section 3 of Article VII-B of the Oklahoma Constitution to voters for approval, modifying the Judicial Nominating Commission membership composition and appointment procedures.

• Changes the Commission from 15 members to include 6 lay members appointed by the Governor (with no legal background), 6 lawyer members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate (instead of elected by Bar Association members), and 3 at-large members appointed by Senate President Pro Tempore, House Speaker, and Commission members.

• Establishes that all Commission members shall serve 6-year terms (except at-large members serving 2 years) with staggered initial appointments of 2, 4, and 6-year terms, and prohibits members from holding other public office or being nominated as judicial officers for 5 years after service.

• Increases the political party limit for Governor-appointed members from 3 to 4 members of any one political party, and limits President Pro Tempore-appointed members to 4 of the same party.

• Directs the Chief Clerk of the House to file the resolution with the Secretary of State and Attorney General immediately after passage.