ENGROSSED SENATE
JOINT
RESOLUTION NO. 21	By:	Jolley, Sykes and Shortey of the Senate

			and

		Murphey of the House

[ Joint Resolution - proposed amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution - requiring Senate confirmation of certain judicial appointments - ballot title - filing ]

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 54TH 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 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 the Governor shall appoint one (1) of the nominees a nominee to fill the vacancy, but if he 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 and to be confirmed by the Senate.  Prior to the nomination being submitted, the Governor shall submit the name of the nominee or nominees he or she wishes to have considered by the Judicial Nominating Commission.  The Commission shall provide an advisory rating of "qualified" or "not qualified" to the Governor for each nomination submitted prior to the submission of the nomination to the Senate, provided, the Commission shall complete its work within ninety (90) days of receiving the submission of potential nominees from the Governor.  If the Senate is not in session when an appointment is made, the Governor may call the Senate into special session no more than once per quarter to advise and consent on any such appointments.
SECTION 2.  The Ballot Title for the proposed 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 would amend the Oklahoma Constitution.  It would amend Section 4 of Article 7-B.  This section provides for filling vacancies for judges.  The Governor will pick the new judge after consultation and rating of the judges by the Judicial Nominating Commission.  The appointment will require confirmation by the Senate.
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 Secretary of State and one copy with the Attorney General.
Passed the Senate the 13th day of March, 2013.

	
	Presiding Officer of the Senate

Passed the House of Representatives the ____ day of __________, 2013.

	
	Presiding Officer of the House
	of Representatives