EXECUTIVE ORDER
93-31

WHEREAS, the Judicial Branch serves the people of Missouri as a protector of individual rights and liberties and as a arbitrator of disputes; and

WHEREAS, Article V of the Missouri Constitution and related statutes provide for the organization and operation of the Judiciary; and

WHEREAS, the periodic review of Article V is appropriate and necessary to ensure that judicial operations continue to be efficient and effective and meet the demands of our modern society;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mel Carnahan, Governor of the State of Missouri, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Missouri, do hereby establish the MISSOURI ADVISORY COMMISSION ON THE ORGANIZATION OF THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT. The Commission shall be composed of fifteen (15) members, three (3) of whom shall be appointed by the Governor, three (3) of whom shall be appointed by the Board of Governors of the Missouri Bar, three (3) of whom shall be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, three (3) of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and three (3) of whom shall be appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

THE COMMISSION members will be appointed within sixty days of this Order.

THE GOVERNOR shall designate one of the members of the Commission to serve as chair, and the chair shall call meetings of the Commission. Members of the Commission will serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses to the extent that funds are available for this purpose from the Missouri Bar. The Commission may utilize such staff as may be provided by the legislative, executive and judicial branches and the Missouri Bar.

THE COMMISSION shall review, analyze, study, recommend and report upon the constitutional and statutory provisions relating to the Judicial Department, including at least the following:

  1. The allocation of judicial personnel and resources and a means of ensuring such proper allocation in the future, including the desirability of a unified trail court of general jurisdiction;
  2. The current arrangement of judicial circuits and the means of ensuring a proper arrangement in the future, including provisions relating to venue;
  3. The current functioning of the nonpartisan selection system for judges and improvements that should be made in said system, if any; and
  4. Any other matters the Commission believes will be of benefit to the Judicial Department, including recommendations related to training, retention, removal and compensation of judges.

THE COMMISSION shall make its report, including any recommendations for constitutional, legislative, executive or judicial action, to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Supreme Court as soon as is reasonably practicable.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, on this 19th day of August, 1993.

[Mel Carnahan’s signature]
GOVERNOR

ATTEST:

[Judith K. Moriarty’s signature]
SECRETARY OF STATE

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