Sec. 28. (a) The judicial nominating commission (referred to in this chapter as the commission) consists of nine (9) members, the majority of whom form a quorum. The chief justice of the supreme court (or a justice of the supreme court or judge of the court of appeals designated by the chief justice) shall be a member and shall act as chairman.

(b) Under sections 30 and 31 of this chapter, those admitted to the practice of law and residing in Lake County shall elect four (4) of their members to serve on the commission, subject to the following:

(1) At least one (1) attorney member must be a minority individual (as defined in IC 21-13-1-6).

(2) Two (2) attorney members must be women.

(3) Two (2) attorney members must be men.

(c) The Lake County board of commissioners shall appoint four (4) nonattorney citizens to the commission, subject to the following:

(1) Each of the three (3) county commissioners shall appoint one (1) nonattorney member who is a resident of the appointing commissioner's district.

(2) After each county commissioner has had the opportunity to make the county commissioner's appointment, the fourth nonattorney member must be appointed by a majority vote of the Lake County board of commissioners.

(3) At least one (1) nonattorney member must be a minority individual (as defined in IC 21-13-1-6).

(4) Two (2) nonattorney members must be women.

(5) Two (2) nonattorney members must be men.

(6) Not more than two (2) of such appointees may be from the same political party.

The appointees must reflect the composition of the community. If the Lake County board of commissioners fails to appoint any of the nonattorney commission members within the time required to do so in section 29 of this chapter, the appointment shall be made by the chief justice of the supreme court.

(d) A member of the commission, other than a judge or justice, may not hold any other elected public office. A member may not hold an office in a political party or organization. A nonattorney member of the commission may not hold an elected or salaried public office. A nonattorney member may not be an employee of the state or of a political subdivision of the state.

(e) A member of the commission is not eligible for appointment to a judicial office in Lake County if the member is a member of the commission and for three (3) years thereafter.

(f) If any member of the commission, other than a judge or justice, terminates the member's residence in Lake County, the member is considered to have resigned from the commission.

[Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-5-29.5-29.]

As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.2-2007, SEC.368.