SF 407: Relating to the membership of district judicial nominating commissions

What it does

This bill relates to the membership of district judicial nominating commissions. Under current law, the governor appoints five eligible electors of each judicial district to each 11-person commission. The bill increases the number of electors appointed by the governor to six. Under current law, the most senior judge in the district serves as a commissioner and as the chairperson of that particular district judicial nominating commission. The bill removes the judge from the commission and from being chairperson and requires the members of each district judicial nominating commission to elect a chairperson from their own number.

House subcommittee · named March 25, 2025

• Rep. Charley Thomson (R) · charley.thomson@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Steven C. Holt (R) · steven.holt@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Rick L. Olson (D) · rick.olson@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 5 for, 12 against

For: Americans For Prosperity; Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition; The Family Leader; The Family Leader Foundation; VALOR Iowa

Against: AFSCME Council 61; Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers; Iowa Association for Justice; Iowa Chapter of Sierra Club; Iowa Defense Counsel Association; Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO; Iowa Insurance Associates; Iowa Judges Association; Iowa Judicial Branch - Supreme Court; Iowa State Bar Association; Justice Not Politics; United Professionals/UE

In plain words

1. February 20, 2025Filed in the Senate and sent to the Judiciary committee
2. February 25, 2025Senate subcommittee named: Garrett, Evans and Quirmbach
3. March 4, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it
4. March 6, 2025Approved by the Senate committee
5. March 17, 2025Passed the Senate, 31–15
6. March 18, 2025Arrived in the House
7. March 25, 2025House subcommittee named: Thomson, C., Holt and Olson
8. April 2, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it