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Second Substitute H.B. 289

Representative Curtis Oda proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSION

             2     
AMENDMENTS

             3     
2010 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: Curtis Oda

             6     
Senate Sponsor: Scott K. Jenkins

             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill requires trial court nominating commissions to submit five names to the
             11      governor, the appellate court nominating commission to submit seven names to the
             12      governor, and that all nominating commissions meet within a specified period of time.
             13      Highlighted Provisions:
             14          This bill:
             15          .    requires judicial nominating commissions to meet within a specified period from
             16      the effective date of a judicial vacancy;
             17          .    requires the governor to ensure that the nominating commissions follow statutes and
             18      rules;
             19          .    requires the governor to appoint the staff of the judicial nominating commissions;
             20          .    requires the governor's staff to enact rules regarding judicial nominating
             21      commissions;
             22          .    requires the appellate court nominating commission to submit seven names to the
             23      governor per vacancy;
             24          .    requires trial court nominating commissions to submit five names to the governor
             25      per vacancy; and


             26          .    removes the chief justice of the Supreme Court from the nominating commissions.
             27      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             28          None
             29      Other Special Clauses:
             30          This bill takes effect on July 1, 2010.
             31          This bill coordinates with S.B. 232, Judicial Administration Amendments, to account
             32      for a judicial hiring freeze.
             33      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             34      AMENDS:
             35          78A-10-103, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382 and renumbered and
             36      amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             37          78A-10-104, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             38          78A-10-202, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             39          78A-10-203, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             40          78A-10-302, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             41          78A-10-303, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             42      ENACTS:
             43          78A-10-105, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             44      REPEALS:
             45          20A-1-505, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1994, Chapter 227
             46      Utah Code Sections Affected by Coordination Clause:
             47          78A-10-104, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             48     
             49      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             50          Section 1. Section 78A-10-103 is amended to read:
             51           78A-10-103. Procedures governing meetings of judicial nominating commissions.
             52          (1) The [Judicial Council] Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice shall:
             53          (a) in consultation with the Judicial Council, enact rules establishing procedures
             54      governing the meetings of the judicial nominating commissions in accordance with Title 63G,
             55      Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act; and
             56          (b) ensure that those procedures include:


             57          (i) a minimum recruitment period of at least 30 days [and a procedure to extend that
             58      period for an additional 30 days if] but not more than 90 days, unless fewer than nine
             59      applications are received for a judicial vacancy, in which case the recruitment period may be
             60      extended up to 30 days;
             61          (ii) standards for maintaining the confidentiality of the applications and related
             62      documents;
             63          (iii) standards governing the release of applicant names before nomination;
             64          (iv) standards for destroying the records of the names of applicants, applications, and
             65      related documents upon completion of the nominating process;
             66          (v) an opportunity for public comment concerning the nominating process,
             67      qualifications for judicial office, and individual applicants;
             68          (vi) evaluation criteria for the selection of judicial nominees;
             69          (vii) procedures for taking summary minutes at nominating commission meetings;
             70          (viii) procedures for simultaneously forwarding the names of nominees to the
             71      governor, the president of the Senate, and the Office of Legislative Research and General
             72      Counsel; [and]
             73          (ix) standards governing a nominating commissioner's disqualification and inability to
             74      serve[.]; and
             75          [(2) (a) (i) Except as provided in this Subsection (2)(a)(ii), if a judicial nominating
             76      commission receives 15 or more applications to fill a judicial vacancy, the nominating
             77      commission shall submit at least five names to the governor.]
             78          [(ii) Notwithstanding Subsection (2)(a)(i), if five applicants do not receive the required
             79      number of votes as specified in Subsection (2)(c) from the nominating commission, the
             80      commission shall submit only the names of applicants that received the required number of
             81      votes, but must submit the names of at least three applicants.]
             82          [(b) In determining whether or not to submit an applicant's name to the governor, a
             83      commission may not decline to consider an applicant merely because:]
             84          (x) procedures that require the Administrative Office of the Courts to immediately
             85      inform the governor when a judge is removed, resigns, or retires.
             86          (2) In determining which of the applicants are the most qualified, the nominating
             87      commissions shall determine by a majority vote of the commissioners present which of the


             88      applicants best possess the ability, temperament, training, and experience that qualifies them
             89      for the office.
             90          (3) (a) The appellate court nominating commission shall certify to the governor a list of
             91      the seven most qualified applicants per vacancy; and
             92          (b) trial court nominating commissions shall certify to the governor a list of the five
             93      most qualified applicants per vacancy.
             94          (4) Nominating commissions shall ensure that the list of applicants submitted to the
             95      governor:
             96          (a) meet the qualifications required by law to fill the office; and
             97          (b) are willing to serve.
             98          (5) In determining which of the applicants are the most qualified, nominating
             99      commissions may not decline to submit a candidate's name to the governor merely because:
             100          [(i)] (a) the nominating commission had declined to submit that candidate's name to the
             101      governor to fill a previous vacancy;
             102          [(ii)] (b) a previous nominating commission had declined to submit that candidate's
             103      name to the governor; or
             104          [(iii)] (c) that nominating commission or a previous nominating commission had
             105      submitted the applicant's name to the governor and the governor selected someone else to fill
             106      the vacancy.
             107          [(c) The vote required to submit an applicant's name to the governor is as follows:]
             108          [(i) if all seven members of the nominating commission are present and considering
             109      applicants, a vote in favor of the applicant by four commissioners submits the candidate's name
             110      to the governor;]
             111          [(ii) if only six members of the nominating commission are present and considering
             112      applicants because one member is unable to attend, has recused himself or is otherwise
             113      disqualified, a vote in favor of the applicant by four commissioners submits the candidate's
             114      name to the governor;]
             115          [(iii) if only five members of the nominating commission are present and considering
             116      applicants because two members are unable to attend, have recused themselves, or are
             117      otherwise disqualified, a vote in favor of the applicant by three commissioners submits the
             118      candidate's name to the governor; and]


             119          [(iv) if only four members of the nominating commission are present and considering
             120      applicants because three members are unable to attend, have recused themselves, or are
             121      otherwise disqualified, a vote in favor of the applicant by three commissioners submits the
             122      candidate's name to the governor.]
             123          [(3)] (6) A judicial nominating commission may not nominate a justice or judge who
             124      was not retained by the voters for the office for which the justice or judge was defeated until
             125      after the expiration of that term of office.
             126          [(4)] (7) Judicial nominating commissions are exempt from the requirements of Title
             127      52, Chapter 4, Open and Public Meetings Act[, and Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative
             128      Rulemaking Act].
             129          Section 2. Section 78A-10-104 is amended to read:
             130           78A-10-104. Convening of recruitment period -- Convening of judicial
             131      nominating commissions -- Certification to governor of nominees -- Meetings to
             132      investigate prospective candidates.
             133          [(1) When a vacancy occurs or is about to occur in the office of a justice or judge of
             134      any court of record, the chair of the judicial nominating commission for the office to be filled
             135      shall convene the commission as soon as practicable.]
             136          (1) The governor shall ensure that:
             137          (a) the recruitment period to fill a judicial vacancy begins 235 days before the effective
             138      date of a vacancy, unless sufficient notice is not given, in which case the recruitment period
             139      shall begin within 10 days of receiving notice;
             140          (b) the recruitment period is a minimum of 30 days but not more than 90 days, unless
             141      fewer than nine applications are received, in which case the recruitment period may be
             142      extended up to 30 days; and
             143          (c) the chair of the judicial nominating commission having authority over the vacancy
             144      shall convene a meeting not more than 10 days after the close of the recruitment period.
             145          (2) The nominating commission may:
             146          (a) meet as necessary to perform its function; and
             147          (b) investigate prospective candidates.
             148          (3) [(a)] Not later than 45 days after convening, the [commission shall certify to the
             149      governor a list of nominees who a majority of the members of the commission have


             150      determined]:
             151          (a) appellate court nominating commission shall certify to the governor a list of the
             152      seven most qualified applicants per vacancy; and
             153          (b) trial court nominating commission shall certify to the governor a list of the five
             154      most qualified applicants per vacancy.
             155          [(i) have the qualifications required by law to fill the office;]
             156          [(ii) are willing to serve; and]
             157          [(iii) possess the ability, temperament, training, and experience that fits them for the
             158      office.]
             159          [(b) (i) The appellate court nominating commission shall certify a list of at least five
             160      appellate nominees to the governor.]
             161          [(ii) If there is a tie vote, the commission may certify both nominees to the governor.]
             162          [(iii) The commission may not certify more than seven nominees to the governor.]
             163          [(c) (i) The trial court nominating commission shall certify a list of at least three
             164      nominees to the governor.]
             165          [(ii) If there is a tie vote, the commission may certify both nominees to the governor.]
             166          [(iii) The commission may not certify more than five nominees to the governor.]
             167          (4) The governor shall fill the vacancy within 30 days after receiving the list of
             168      nominees.
             169          (5) If the governor fails to fill the vacancy within 30 days of receiving the list of
             170      nominees from the nominating commission, the chief justice of the Supreme Court shall,
             171      within 20 days, appoint a person from the list of nominees certified to the governor.
             172          [(4)] (6) A nominating commission may not[, during a commissioner's term of office,]
             173      nominate a person who has served [as a replacement for that commission member] on a
             174      nominating commission within six months of the date that the commission was last convened.
             175          Section 3. Section 78A-10-105 is enacted to read:
             176          78A-10-105. Senate confirmation of judicial appointments -- Courts of record.
             177          (1) The Senate shall:
             178          (a) consider and decide on each judicial appointment within 60 days of the date of
             179      appointment; and
             180          (b) if necessary, convene itself in extraordinary session to consider a judicial


             181      appointment.
             182          (2) If the Senate fails to approve the appointment, the office is considered vacant and a
             183      new nominating process begins.
             184          (3) An appointment is effective upon approval of a majority of all members of the
             185      Senate.
             186          (4) The judicial nominating commission, the governor, the chief justice, and the Senate
             187      shall nominate and select judges based solely upon consideration of their fitness for office
             188      without regard to any partisan political considerations.
             189          Section 4. Section 78A-10-202 is amended to read:
             190           78A-10-202. Membership.
             191          (1) The Appellate Court Nominating Commission shall consist of seven
             192      commissioners, each appointed by the governor to serve a single four-year term.
             193          (2) Each commissioner shall:
             194          (a) be a United States citizen;
             195          (b) be a resident of Utah; and
             196          (c) serve until the commissioner's successor is appointed.
             197          (3) The governor may not appoint:
             198          (a) a commissioner to serve successive terms;
             199          (b) a member of the Legislature to serve as a member of the Appellate Court
             200      Nominating Commission; or
             201          (c) more than four commissioners from the same political party to the Appellate Court
             202      Nominating Commission.
             203          (4) (a) The Utah State Bar shall submit to the governor a list of six nominees to serve
             204      as Appellate Court Nominating Commissioners.
             205          (b) The governor shall appoint two commissioners from the list of nominees provided
             206      by the Utah State Bar.
             207          (c) The governor may reject the list submitted by the Utah State Bar and request a new
             208      list of nominees.
             209          (5) The governor may not appoint more than four persons who are members of the
             210      Utah State Bar to the Appellate Court Nominating Commission.
             211          (6) [(a)] The chief justice of the Supreme Court [is] shall appoint another member of


             212      the Judicial Council to serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the Appellate Court
             213      Nominating Commission.
             214          [(b) If the chief justice cannot serve on the commission, the chief justice shall appoint
             215      another justice of the Supreme Court to serve.]
             216          [(7)] (6) The governor shall appoint the chair of the Appellate Court Nominating
             217      Commission from among the membership.
             218          Section 5. Section 78A-10-203 is amended to read:
             219           78A-10-203. Procedure.
             220          [(1) Except for the chief justice of the Supreme Court, each commissioner is a voting
             221      member of the Appellate Court Nominating Commission.]
             222          [(2)] (1) Four commissioners are a quorum.
             223          [(3)] (2) The [state court administrator shall] governor shall appoint a member of the
             224      governor's staff to serve as [secretary] staff to the Appellate Court Nominating Commission.
             225          [(4)] (3) The [chief justice of the Supreme Court] governor shall:
             226          (a) ensure that the commission follows the rules promulgated by the [Judicial Council]
             227      governor; and
             228          (b) resolve any questions regarding those rules.
             229          [(5)] (4) A member of the commission who is also a member of the Utah State Bar may
             230      recuse himself if there is a conflict of interest that makes the member unable to serve.
             231          Section 6. Section 78A-10-302 is amended to read:
             232           78A-10-302. Membership.
             233          (1) The Trial Court Nominating Commission shall consist of seven commissioners,
             234      each appointed by the governor to serve a single four-year term.
             235          (2) Each commissioner shall:
             236          (a) be a United States citizen;
             237          (b) be a resident of Utah;
             238          (c) be a resident of the geographic division to be served by the commission to which
             239      the commissioner is appointed; and
             240          (d) serve until the commissioner's successor is appointed.
             241          (3) The governor may not appoint:
             242          (a) a commissioner to serve successive terms;


             243          (b) a member of the Legislature to serve as a member of a Trial Court Nominating
             244      Commission; or
             245          (c) more than four commissioners from the same political party to a Trial Court
             246      Nominating Commission.
             247          (4) The governor shall appoint two commissioners from a list of nominees provided by
             248      the Utah State Bar.
             249          (5) The Utah State Bar shall submit:
             250          (a) six nominees from Districts 2, 3, and 4; and
             251          (b) four nominees from Districts 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8.
             252          (6) The governor may reject any list and request a new list of nominees.
             253          (7) The governor may not appoint more than four persons who are members of the
             254      Utah State Bar to a Trial Court Nominating Commission.
             255          (8) [(a)] The chief justice of the Supreme Court [is] shall appoint another member of
             256      the Judicial Council to serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of each Trial Court
             257      Nominating Commission.
             258          [(b) If the chief justice cannot serve on the commission, the chief justice shall appoint
             259      another justice of the Supreme Court to serve.]
             260          [(9)] (8) The governor shall appoint the chair of each Trial Court Nominating
             261      Commission from among its membership.
             262          Section 7. Section 78A-10-303 is amended to read:
             263           78A-10-303. Procedure.
             264          [(1) Except for the chief justice of the Supreme Court, each trial court nominating
             265      commissioner is a voting member of the commission.]
             266          [(2)] (1) Four commissioners are a quorum.
             267          [(3)] (2) The [state court administrator shall] governor shall appoint a member of the
             268      governor's staff to serve as [secretary] staff to each Trial Court Nominating Commission.
             269          [(4)] (3) The [chief justice of the Supreme Court] governor shall:
             270          (a) ensure that each Trial Court Nominating Commission follows the rules
             271      promulgated by the [Judicial Council] governor; and
             272          (b) resolve any questions regarding those rules.
             273          [(5)] (4) A member of a Trial Court Nominating Commission who is also a member of


             274      the Utah State Bar may recuse himself if there is a conflict of interest that makes the member
             275      unable to serve.
             276          Section 8. Repealer.
             277          This bill repeals:
             278          Section 20A-1-505, Judicial vacancies -- Courts of record.
             279          Section 9. Effective date.
             280          This bill takes effect on July 1, 2010.
             281          Section 10. Coordinating H.B. 289 with S.B. 232 -- Substantive amendments.
             282          If this H.B. 289 and S.B. 232, Judicial Administration Amendments, both pass, it is the
             283      intent of the Legislature that the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel in
             284      preparing the Utah Code database for publication amend Section 78A-10-104 to read as
             285      follows:
             286          " 78A-10-104. Convening of judicial nominating commissions -- Certification to
             287      governor of nominees -- Meetings to investigate prospective candidates.
             288          [(1) When a vacancy occurs or is about to occur in the office of a justice or judge of
             289      any court of record, the chair of the judicial nominating commission for the office to be filled
             290      shall convene the commission as soon as practicable.]
             291          (1) Unless a hiring freeze is implemented in accordance with Section 78A-2-113, the
             292      governor shall ensure that:
             293          (a) the recruitment period to fill a judicial vacancy begins 235 days before the effective
             294      date of a vacancy, unless sufficient notice is not given, in which case the recruitment period
             295      shall begin within 10 days of receiving notice;
             296          (b) the recruitment period is a minimum of 30 days but not more than 90 days, unless
             297      fewer than nine applications are received, in which case the recruitment period may be
             298      extended up to 30 days; and
             299          (c) the chair of the judicial nominating commission having authority over the vacancy
             300      shall convene a meeting not more than 10 days after the close of the recruitment period.
             301          (2) The time limits in Subsection (1) shall begin to run the day the hiring freeze ends.
             302          [(2)] (3) The nominating commission may:
             303          (a) meet as necessary to perform its function; and
             304          (b) investigate prospective candidates.


             305          [(3) (a)] (4) Not later than 45 days after convening, the [commission shall certify to the
             306      governor a list of nominees who a majority of the members of the commission have
             307      determined]:
             308          [(i) have the qualifications required by law to fill the office;]
             309          [(ii) are willing to serve; and]
             310          [(iii) possess the ability, temperament, training, and experience that fits them for the
             311      office.]
             312          [(b) (i) The appellate court nominating commission shall certify a list of at least five
             313      appellate nominees to the governor.]
             314          [(ii) If there is a tie vote, the commission may certify both nominees to the governor.]
             315          [(iii) The commission may not certify more than seven nominees to the governor.]
             316          [(c) (i) The trial court nominating commission shall certify a list of at least three
             317      nominees to the governor.]
             318          [(ii) If there is a tie vote, the commission may certify both nominees to the governor.]
             319          [(iii) The commission may not certify more than five nominees to the governor.]
             320          (a) appellate court nominating commission shall certify to the governor a list of the
             321      seven most qualified applicants per vacancy; and
             322          (b) trial court nominating commission shall certify to the governor a list of the five
             323      most qualified applicants per vacancy.
             324          (5) The governor shall fill the vacancy within 30 days after receiving the list of
             325      nominees.
             326          (6) If the governor fails to fill the vacancy within 30 days of receiving the list of
             327      nominees from the nominating commission, the chief justice of the Supreme Court shall,
             328      within 20 days, appoint a person from the list of nominees certified to the governor.
             329          [(4)] (7) A nominating commission may not[, during a commissioner's term of office,]
             330      nominate a person who has served [as a replacement for that commission member] on a
             331      nominating commission within six months of the date that the commission was last convened."


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