JUDICIAL QUALIFICATIONS                                                           S.J.R. D: FLOOR ANALYSIS

Senate Joint Resolution D (as reported without amendment) Sponsor: Senator Virgil C. Smith, Jr.

Committee: Judiciary

CONTENT

The joint resolution proposes an amendment to Article 6, Section 19 of the State Constitution of 1963, which establishes the qualifications for judges, to specify that to be qualified to serve as a judge of a trial court, a judge of the Court of Appeals, or a justice of the Supreme Court, a person would have to have been admitted to the practice of law for at least five years. The requirement would not apply to a judge or justice who was elected or appointed before the date that the resolution became part of the Constitution.

The joint resolution would have to be submitted to the electorate of the State at the next general election.

Legislative Analyst: P. Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed: 2-14-95                                                      Fiscal Analyst: L. Nacionales-Tafoya

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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.