House Bill No. 7041, also known as Public Act No. 25-114, revises the structure and appointment process of the Judicial Selection Commission in Connecticut. The bill repeals the existing statute and establishes a new commission consisting of twelve members, with a stipulation that no more than six members can belong to the same political party. The previous requirement for an equal number of attorneys-at-law and non-attorneys has been eliminated, and starting July 1, 2025, appointees must have practiced law in the state for at least ten years. The bill also sets three-year terms for commission members without the possibility of consecutive terms and outlines procedures for filling vacancies, aiming to enhance the qualifications and accountability of the commission.

Additionally, the bill introduces several procedural amendments regarding the nomination and reappointment of judges. It requires the Judicial Selection Commission to provide a brief summary of reasons for not recommending a candidate or incumbent judge for nomination, allows the issuance of subpoenas during inquiries, and establishes that the commission's decisions following a rehearing are final with no right of appeal. The period during which attorney commission members cannot be considered for judicial nomination is extended from two years to three years post-tenure. The commission is also mandated to report annually on judicial nominations, including demographic statistics. The bill includes new provisions for the commission's responsibilities while deleting outdated terms and timelines to improve transparency and accountability.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 51-44a
JUD Joint Favorable: 51-44a
File No. 765: 51-44a
File No. 952: 51-44a
Public Act No. 25-114: 51-44a