STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 54th Legislature (2013)

SENATE JOINT
RESOLUTION 29	By:	Shortey

AS INTRODUCED

A Joint Resolution relating to judges; ordering a legislative referendum pursuant to the Oklahoma Constitution; amending 20 O.S. 2011, Section 92i, which relates to candidates for district judge or associate district judge; establishing certain eligibility requirement; providing effective date; 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.  Pursuant to Section 3 of Article V of the Oklahoma Constitution, there is hereby ordered the following legislative referendum which shall be filed with the Secretary of State and addressed to the Governor of the state, who shall submit the same to the people for their approval or rejection at the next General Election.
SECTION 2.     AMENDATORY     20 O.S. 2011, Section 92i, is amended to read as follows:
Section 92i.  To file as a candidate for the office of district judge or associate district judge, one must have been a registered voter and actual resident of the appropriate county for at least six (6) months prior to the first day of the filing period.  Should no one file for any such office, and should a vacancy thereby created be filled by appointment according to law, there shall be no such residency or durational registration requirement imposed on the appointee, providing ~~said~~ the appointee is otherwise qualified, nor shall any person appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of district judge or associate district judge be required to comply with such residency or durational registration requirement in becoming a candidate for a full term following such appointment.  No one who has been removed from judicial office or who has resigned from office pending disciplinary proceedings shall qualify to file as a candidate for judicial office.  As of the effective date of this act, no person shall be eligible to serve as a district judge or associate district judge for a period of more than twelve (12) years.
SECTION 3.  This act shall become effective upon approval by the people.
SECTION 4.  The Ballot Title for the proposed 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 amends Section 92i of Title 20 of the Oklahoma Statutes.  This measure limits district and associate district judges to serving not more than twelve years.
SHALL THE PROPOSAL BE APPROVED?
FOR THE PROPOSAL — YES	_____________
AGAINST THE PROPOSAL — NO 	_____________
SECTION 5.  The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall, immediately after the passage of this order for legislative referendum, prepare and file in accordance with Section 3 of Article V of the Oklahoma Constitution, one copy of this order for legislative referendum, including the Ballot Title set forth in SECTION 4, with the Secretary of State and one copy with the Attorney General.

54-1-1186	TEK	1/17/2013 5:01:05 PM