Kansas Bar Association Endorses “4-5-6” Structure for Nominating Commission

In response to anticipated legislative proposals to alter the process for selecting the state’s appellate judges, with the most prominent being the discontinuance of the judicial nominating commission and the addition of senate confirmation, the Kansas Bar Association endorsed a plan to restructure the nominating commission. Under the “4-5-6” plan, the size of the commission would increase from nine to fifteen, with four members elected by the bar, five appointed by the governor, and six selected by legislative leaders. In December, the KBA reiterated its support for the state’s “merit selection” process but indicated a willingness to reconsider the selection and composition of the nominating commission, as we covered here.