Bill > SF407

This bill modifies the composition and leadership of district judicial nominating commissions in Iowa, which are responsible for screening and recommending judicial candidates for district court vacancies. Currently, the governor appoints five members to each 11-person commission, but the bill increases this to six gubernatorial appointees. Additionally, the bill removes the most senior judge in each district from automatically serving as the commission's chairperson and instead requires the commission members to elect their own chairperson from among themselves. The elected chairperson will serve a two-year term expiring on April 30 of even-numbered years and can be reelected up to three times. If the current chairperson wishes to step down from leadership while remaining a commissioner, they must notify the governor and other commissioners, who will then elect a new chairperson to complete the remainder of the term. These changes aim to modify the selection and leadership process for district judicial nominating commissions, potentially increasing the governor's direct influence and allowing more collaborative leadership selection among commission members.

Justice

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF407