Missouri: Senators approve changes to judge selection

The senate approved a bill that would alter the process for nominating appellate judges. The judge member of the appellate judicial commission would be replaced by a gubernatorial appointee. The four commission members appointed by the governor would no longer be required to be non-attorneys, and they would serve four-year terms, with the governor appointing two at the beginning of his/her term and two midway through his/her term. The commission would nominate four rather than three candidates for appointment.