Connecticut Senate Bill SB00919

Connecticut 2013 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/20/13
• Refer: 2/20/13

Caption

An Act Concerning The Qualifications For Candidates Seeking Election To The Office Of The Attorney General.

Impact

The passage of SB00919 would have a direct impact on existing state laws regarding the qualifications of candidates for the Attorney General's office. By instituting a clear standard regarding the necessary length of bar admission prior to election, the bill aims to raise the bar for candidates seeking this influential position. This change may limit the pool of candidates eligible for election to experienced legal practitioners, thereby potentially enhancing the expertise within the office. Incumbents and future candidates will need to ensure compliance with these new stipulations or risk disqualification.

Summary

SB00919 is a legislative measure aimed at amending the qualifications required for candidates seeking election to the office of the Attorney General in the state. The bill specifies that to be eligible for election, a candidate must have been a member of the bar of this state for a continuous period of at least ten years immediately prior to taking office. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes that the Attorney General must serve full-time in this position and specifies the annual salary for the role, which is set at one hundred ten thousand dollars. This level of detail is intended to ensure that the candidates have significant professional experience and commitment to the responsibilities of the office.

Contention

A notable point of contention surrounding SB00919 is the debate over whether such stringent qualifications may unnecessarily restrict the field of candidates. Critics may argue that this bill could limit opportunities for qualified individuals who have significant legal knowledge and skills without precisely meeting the proposed ten-year bar admission requirement. Proponents, however, assert that this is a crucial measure to ensure that only highly qualified and experienced individuals serve in a role that impacts significant legal and policy decisions within the state.