Judicial selection in Lake and St. Joseph counties.

Provides that the judicial nominating commission (commission) for the Lake and St. Joseph superior courts consists of seven voting members, with three voting members appointed by the governor and three voting members appointed by the county board of commissioners, and the chief justice of Indiana or the chief justice's designee serving ex officio as a voting member only to resolve tie votes and as chairperson of the commission. (Current law provides that the commission for the Lake superior court consists of nine members.) Provides that the governor must appoint to the commission one attorney member, one nonattorney member who has never been licensed to practice law, and one member that is a woman. Provides that the county board of commissioners must appoint to the commission one attorney member, one nonattorney member who has never been licensed to practice law, and one member that is from a minority group. Provides that the chairperson of the commission shall have standing to dispute the validity of an appointed member. Provides that a voting member of the commission for: (1) the Lake superior court shall reside in Lake County; and (2) the St. Joseph superior court shall reside in St. Joseph County. Provides that a voting member may not have a prior felony conviction. Repeals provisions concerning the appointment of nonattorney commissioners and the election of attorney commissioners to the commission. Provides that after the commission has nominated and submitted to the governor the names of five persons to fill a vacancy in the Lake or St. Joseph superior court, the governor shall select the most qualified person to fill the vacancy. (Current law provides that the commission for the Lake superior court nominate and submit to the governor the names of three people to fill a vacancy in the superior court.) Makes conforming changes.