Legislatures Coming Back Into Session
North Carolina 4/23 – 4/25
Floor/Committee Activity of Note
April 23
HJR 753 (Constitutional Amendment) ORIGINAL: Provides all appellate judges are to be initially selected via merit-based gubernatorial appointment from a panel of qualified candidates submitted by a nominating commission. Subjects selections to legislative confirmation. Provides that, contingent upon a satisfactory job performance evaluation, judges are subject to retention election. Provides all appellate judges be at least thirty-five years of age and a resident of the state for the five-year period immediately preceding appointment. Sets terms of office at eight years. AS AMENDED: Same, but removes references to “merit-based” appointment. Approved as amended by House Finance, Ways & Means Committee 4/17/12.
SJR 710 (Constitutional Amendment) ORIGINAL: Provides all appellate judges are to be initially selected via merit-based gubernatorial appointment from a panel of qualified candidates submitted by a nominating commission. Subjects selections to legislative confirmation. Provides that, contingent upon a satisfactory job performance evaluation, judges are subject to retention election. Provides all appellate judges be at least thirty-five years of age and a resident of the state for the five-year period immediately preceding appointment. Sets terms of office at eight years. AS AMENDED: Same, but removes references to “merit-based” appointment. Amended on floor 4/16/12.
April 24
Alabama House Ways and Means General Fund Committee
HB 688 Increases docket fees in all civil cases in the circuit and district courts excluding child support cases and in all criminal cases in the circuit, district, and municipal courts. Provides for for distribution of the funds into State Judicial Administration Fund, Circuit Clerk’s Judicial Administration Fund, and Presiding Circuit Judge’s Judicial Administration Fund.
New Hampshire Senate Judiciary Committee
HB 1665 Enables superior court or circuit court to implement one or more drug courts. Approved by full House 3/7/12.
HB 3691 Requires House and Senate speakers appoint all nine members of the judicial evaluation commission since the judicial council no longer exists. Approved by House Judiciary Committee 4/4/12.
Tennessee House Finance, Ways & Means Committee
HJR 830 (Constitutional Amendment) Unequivocally authorizes the general assembly, by statute, to establish a system of merit-based appointments with retention elections for appellate court judges. Approved by House Finance, Ways & Means Committee, General Subcommittee 4/11/12.
April 25
April 26
April 27
