ENGROSSED SENATE
BILL NO. 621	By:	Aldridge of the Senate

			and

		Banz of the House

[ Constitutional amendment - Senate confirmation of judicial appointments - ballot title - directing filing ]

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
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 4 of Article VII-B of the Oklahoma Constitution to read as follows:
Section 4.  When a vacancy in any Judicial Office, however arising, occurs or is certain to occur, the Judicial Nominating Commission shall choose and submit to the Governor and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court three (3) nominees, each of whom has previously notified the Commission in writing that he will serve as a Judicial Officer if appointed.  The Governor shall appoint one (1) of the nominees to fill the vacancy, but if he the Governor fails to do so within sixty (60) days the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall appoint one (1) of the nominees, the appointment to be certified by the Secretary of State.  Any appointment or reappointment by the Governor to fill a Judicial Office shall be confirmed by a majority of the Senate.
SECTION 2.  The Ballot Title for the proposed Constitutional amendment as set forth in SECTION 1 of this act shall be in the following form:
BALLOT TITLE
Legislative Referendum No. ____	State Question No. ____
THE GIST OF THE PROPOSITION IS AS FOLLOWS:
This measure would amend the Oklahoma Constitution. It would amend Section 4 of Article 7-B.  This section provides for filling vacancies for judges.  This measure will require that the Senate approve any person chosen by the Governor to fill a vacancy.
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 act, prepare and file one copy thereof, including the Ballot Title set forth in SECTION 2 hereof, with the Secretary of State and one copy with the Attorney General.
Passed the Senate the 8th day of March, 2011.

	
Presiding Officer 	of the Senate

Passed the House of Representatives the ____ day of __________, 2011.

	
Presiding Officer of the House
	of Representatives