NO. 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 Consitiution and related statutes provide for the organization and operation of teh Judiciary; and
WHEREAS, the periodic review fo Article V is appropriate and necessary to ensure that judicial operations continue to be efficient and effective and meet the demands of our nodern society;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mel Carnahan, Governor of the State of Missouri, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laaws of the State of Missouri, do hereby establish the MISSOURI COMMISSION ON THE ORGANIZATION OF THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT. The Commission shall be composed of fifteen (15) members, three (3) of whom shall be apppointed 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:
- 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;
- The
current
arrangement
of
judicial
circuits
and
the
means
of
ensuring
a
proper
arrangement
in
the
future,
including
provisions
relating
to
venue;
- The
current
functioning
of
the
nonpartisan
selection
system
for
judges
and
improvements
that
should
be
made
in
said
system,
if
any;
and
- 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