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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025)
SENATE JOINT
RESOLUTION 13 By: Guthrie
AS INTRODUCED
A Joint Resolution directing the Secretary of State
to refer to the people for their approval or
rejection a proposed amendmen t to Section 3 of
Article VII-B of the Oklahoma Constitution; removing
requirement of political party affiliation for
certain members; providing ballot title; and
directing filing.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
1ST SESSION OF THE 60TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:
SECTION 1. The Secretary of State shall refer to the people for
their approval or rejection, as and in the manner provided by law,
the following proposed amendment to Section 3 of Articl e VII-B of
the Oklahoma Constitution to read as follows:
Section 3. (a) A. There is established as a part of the
Judicial Department a Judicial Nominating Commission of fifteen (15)
members, to consist of:
(1) six 1. Six members to be appointed by the Governor, which
shall include at least one from each congressional district
established by the Statutes of Oklahoma and existing at the date of
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the adoption of this Article, none of whom shall be admitted to
practice law in the State of Oklahoma or have an y immediate family
member who has been admitted to the practice of law in the State of
Oklahoma or any other state;
(2) six 2. Six members, which shall include at least one from
each congressional district established by the Statutes of Oklahoma
and existing at the date of the adoption of this Article who are,
however, members of the Oklahom a Bar Association and who have been
elected by the other active members of their district under
procedures adopted by the Board of Governors of the Oklahoma Bar
Association, until changed by statute; and
(3) three 3. Three members at large who shall not have been
admitted to the practice of law in the State of Oklahoma or any
other state or have any immediate family member who has been
admitted to the practice of law in the State of Oklahoma or any
other state but who shall be a resident of the State of O klahoma,
one to be selected by not less than eight members of the Nominating
Commission. In the event eight members of the Commission cannot
agree upon the member at large within thirty (30) days of the
initial organization of the Commission or within thirty (30) days of
a vacancy in the member at large position, the Governor shall make
the appointment of the member at large; one to be selected by the
President Pro Tempore of the Senate; and one to be selected by the
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Speaker of the House of Representatives . No more than two members
at large shall belong to any one political party.
The Commission shall elect one of its members to serve as chair
for a term of one (1) yea r.
The six lay members of the Commission who are appointed by the
Governor shall be appointed within ninety (90) days from the date
that this Article becomes effective. Two members shall be appointed
for a term of two (2) years, two members for a term of four (4)
years, and two members for a term of six (6) years. The Oklahoma
Bar Association shall hold its election and certify to the Secretary
of State its members within ninety (90) days from the effective date
of this Article, two of whom shall be elect ed for a term of two (2)
years, two for a term of four (4) years, and two for a term of six
(6) years. Thereafter all of the members of the Commission, whether
elected or appointed, shall serve for a term of six (6) years,
except that the member at large shall serve for a term of two (2)
years.
(b) B. Vacancies arising during the term of any lay
commissioner, other than the member at large, shall be filled by
appointment by the Governor for the remainder of his or her term.
Vacancies of any lawyer commis sioner shall be filled by the Board of
Governors of the Oklahoma Bar Association for the remainder of his
or her term.
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(c) C. In the event of vacancy in the member at large position,
the said vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original
selection.
(d) Of those Commissioners named by the Governor, not more than
three shall belong to any one political party.
(e) D. The concurrence of the majority of Commissioners in
office at the time shall be sufficient to decide any question,
unless otherwise provided herein. The Commission shall have
jurisdiction to determine whether the qualifications of nominees to
hold Judicial Office have been met and to determine the existence of
vacancies on the Commission.
(f) E. No Commissioner, while a member of the Commission, shall
hold any other public office by election or appointment or any
official position in a political party and he or she shall not be
eligible, while a member of the Commission and for five (5) years
thereafter, for nomination as a Judicia l Officer.
(g) F. Commissioners shall serve without compensation but the
Legislature shall provide funds to reimburse them for their
necessary travel and lodging expenses while performing their duties
as such Commissioners.
(h) G. No Commissioner shall b e permitted to succeed himself or
herself.
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(i) H. As used herein, the words “Oklahoma Bar Association”
shall include any successor thereof and any future form of the
organized Bar of this state.
SECTION 2. The Ballot Title for the propose d Constitutional
amendment as set forth in SECTION 1 of this resolution shall be in
the following form:
BALLOT TITLE
Legislative Referendum No. ____ State Question No. ____
THE GIST OF THE PROPOSITION IS AS FOLLOWS:
This measure amends Section 3 of Article 7-B of the Oklahoma
Constitution. The current law requires certain appointed
members to be affiliated with a political party. This amendment
removes that requirement.
SHALL THE PROPOSAL BE APPROVED?
FOR THE PROPOSAL — YES _____________
AGAINST THE PROPOSAL — NO _____________
SECTION 3. The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall,
immediately after the passage of this resolution, prepare and file
one copy thereof, including the Ballot Title set forth in SECTION 2
hereof, with the Secre tary of State and one copy with the Attorney
General.
60-1-322 TEK 1/16/2025 1:40:03 PM