SJR 6: Constitutional amendment; Judicial Nominating Commission; requiring Senate confirmation of certain judicial appointments. Ballot title. - Oklahoma

SJR6 (3-12-25) (PAXTON) FS FA1.PDF → Floor (Senate) · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised from a floor substitute to a committee substitute version, incorporating changes made during committee review. The substantive content of the proposed constitutional amendment regarding judicial appointments remains largely the same, though some text was reorganized and clarified. The changes primarily involve formatting, section numbering, and minor text adjustments rather than significant policy shifts.

Scope change

The scope of the proposed constitutional amendment remains focused on repealing the Judicial Nominating Commission and establishing a new appointment process for state judges, with no substantive changes to the scope of applicability.

TECHNICAL

Header information changed from 'FLOOR SUBSTITUTE' to 'COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE' indicating the document has been amended by the committee

Sponsor list shortened from three sponsors (Paxton, Guthrie, and Bullard) to two sponsors (Paxton and Guthrie)

Date changed from March 12, 2025 to March 5, 2025 reflecting the committee substitute version date

Page headers and footers were updated to reflect the Senate Floor Version with committee amendment markings

Minor text reorganization and formatting improvements throughout the document for clarity

Committee Substitute → SJR6 (3-12-25) (PAXTON) FS FA1.PDF · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was changed from a Committee Substitute to a Floor Substitute, with the authorship expanded to include three sponsors instead of one. The most significant substantive change is the removal of Section 2, which previously allowed judicial officers to seek retention by ballot at the end of their terms. Additionally, the proposed constitutional amendment now only amends Sections 1 and 4 of Article VII-B, removing the reference to Section 2.

Scope change

The scope of the proposed constitutional amendment was narrowed by removing the provision for judicial retention elections, which previously allowed judges to run for re-election via ballot.

REQUIREMENT

Section 2 was removed, eliminating the process for judicial officers to seek retention in office through a public election ballot at the end of their terms.

SCOPE

The proposed constitutional amendment now only amends Sections 1 and 4 of Article VII-B, removing the reference to Section 2 which governed retention elections.

TECHNICAL

The bill type changed from Committee Substitute to Floor Substitute, and the number of sponsors increased from one to three.

Introduced → Committee Substitute · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was converted from an 'Introduced' version to a 'Committee Substitute' version, which significantly changed its purpose and scope. The original bill proposed amendments to executive officer provisions in Article VI of the Oklahoma Constitution, while the new version focuses on repealing and amending provisions in Article VII-B regarding judicial appointments and retention. This represents a complete shift in subject matter from executive branch appointments to judicial branch procedures.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from executive officer appointments (Article VI) to judicial officer appointments and retention (Article VII-B).

SCOPE

The bill's subject matter changed from executive officers (Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, etc.) to judicial officers (Supreme Court Justices and Court of Appeals Judges).

REQUIREMENT

New judicial retention process was added where judges seek retention by filing a declaration of candidacy and appearing on a separate ballot question.

Provisions for term limits and eligibility for executive officers were removed from the proposed constitutional amendments.

Senate confirmation requirement was added for judicial appointments, replacing the previous Judicial Nominating Commission system.

DEFINITION

New definitions for 'Judicial Office' and 'Judicial Officer' were added to clarify which positions are covered.

TECHNICAL

Page numbers and reference numbers were updated from Req. No. 1469 to Req. No. 1825 to reflect the new bill version.

Constitutional amendment; Judicial Nominating Commission; requiring Senate confirmation of certain judicial appointments. Ballot title.

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