2006 Utah Code - 20A-1-505 — Judicial vacancies -- Courts of record.

     20A-1-505.   Judicial vacancies -- Courts of record.
     (1) (a) When a vacancy occurs in a court of record, the governor shall, within 30 days after receiving the list of nominees, fill the vacancy by appointing a person who meets the qualifications for the office from a list of at least three trial nominees and five appellate nominees certified to the governor by the judicial nominating commission that has authority over the vacancy.
     (b) If the governor fails to fill the vacancy within 30 days, the chief justice of the Supreme Court shall, within 20 days, appoint a person who meets the qualifications for the office from the list of nominees.
     (2) (a) The Senate shall:
     (i) consider and decide on each judicial appointment within 60 days of the date of appointment; and
     (ii) if necessary, convene itself in extraordinary session to consider a judicial appointment.
     (b) If the Senate fails to approve the appointment, the office is considered vacant and a new nominating process begins.
     (3) An appointment is effective upon approval of a majority of all members of the Senate.
     (4) The judicial nominating commission, the governor, the chief justice, and the Senate shall nominate and select judges based solely upon consideration of their fitness for office without regard to any partisan political considerations.

Amended by Chapter 227, 1994 General Session