Bill Would Expand Florida Governor's Authority over Judicial Nominating Commission

As it did in 2012, Florida’s house of representatives has proposed giving the governor greater authority over the membership of the state’s judicial nominating commissions. These commissions include nine members who are appointed by the governor, serve four-year terms, and are removable only for cause. Of the nine members, four are appointed from recommendations by the state bar. The proposed measure, which passed the house civil justice committee on a party-line vote, stipulates that the other five members would serve at the governor’s pleasure.