Tennessee Senate Approves Judicial Selection Change

Tennessee’s senate approved by a 29-2 vote a proposed constitutional amendment that has been nicknamed “The Founding Fathers Plan Plus.” The proposal would establish a federal selection process for appellate judges—gubernatorial appointment with confirmation by both houses of the legislature (the “plus”). It would also allow 60 days for confirmation, after which the appointment is confirmed by default. As IAALS Online has covered recently, the measure was approved by the full legislature in 2012 and must be approved again this year before going on the ballot in 2014.