The bill amends the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska to update the regulations governing judicial nominating commissions. Key changes include an increase in the maximum consecutive term for commission members from eight to twelve years and a revised process for filling vacancies. Specifically, if a lawyer member resigns, the vacancy will be filled by the alternate lawyer member of the same political party, or if none exists, by an alternate not affiliated with any political party. The bill also introduces provisions for electronic nominations and ensures the secrecy of the ballot during elections, while mandating that the Clerk of the Supreme Court ensures the presence of eight qualified members for voting.

Additionally, the bill allows the judicial nominating commission to search for additional candidates before and after public hearings, requiring further hearings if new candidates are identified. It establishes a timeline for submitting candidates' names to the Governor, with a ninety-day deadline following a judicial vacancy determination, extendable to one hundred twenty days if multiple public hearings occur. The bill includes new language regarding residency requirements, stating that a change in residency affecting a member's eligibility will impact their status. It also removes previous provisions that classified independent voters as members of the same political party and repeals several sections of existing statutes to streamline the legal framework for these commissions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 24-802, 24-803, 24-805, 24-806, 24-808, 24-809, 24-810, 24-810.01
Final Reading: 24-802, 24-803, 24-805, 24-806, 24-808, 24-809, 24-810, 24-810.01
Slip Law: 24-802, 24-803, 24-805, 24-806, 24-808, 24-809, 24-810, 24-810.01