ENGROSSED SENATE
JOINT
RESOLUTION NO. 22	By:	Jolley and Sykes of the Senate

			and

		Murphey of the House

A Joint Resolution directing the Secretary of State to refer to the people for their approval or rejection a proposed amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution by adding a new Section 4A to Article VII-B; modifying certain appointment procedure; requiring Senate confirmation of certain judicial appointment; providing ballot title; and directing 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 the Oklahoma Constitution by adding a new Section 4A to Article VII-B to read as follows:
Section 4A.  Commencing April 1, 2015, the Governor shall appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.  Should the nominee be from amongst the sitting Justices of the Court, the Judicial Nominating Commission need not be consulted.  However, if the nominee is not a sitting member of the Court, the nominee shall follow the nomination procedures established pursuant to Section 4 of Article VII-B regarding submission and screening by the Judicial Nominating Commission.
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 add Section 4A of Article 7-B.  This section provides for filling vacancies for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.  The Governor will appoint the new Chief Justice.  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