S.247 would require the Judicial Merit Selection Commission (JMSC) to submit to the full General Assembly the names of all candidates it finds qualified for judicial seats. Currently the JMSC submits no more than three candidates for any one judge’s seat to the General Assembly, which then must vote on these limited options. Full reform would mean placing the power to appoint judges with the Governor with the advice and consent of the senate, as in the federal model. While this bill doesn’t go that far, it would at least diffuse the power to select judges, much of which currently rests in the hands of a three powerful legislative leaders.
(Related H.3979, H.4517, S.1004)