SB2970 - Conference Report

REPORT OF CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

MADAM PRESIDENT AND MR. SPEAKER:

We, the undersigned conferees, have had under consideration the amendments to the following entitled BILL:

S. B. No. 2970: Election contests; clarify the manner of selecting judges to hear.

We, therefore, respectfully submit the following report and recommendation:

1. That the House recede from its Amendment No. 1.

2. That the Senate and House adopt the following amendment:

Amend by striking all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

SECTION 1. (1) There is hereby created a joint study committee to examine the election of justice court judges. The joint committee shall consist of the Chairman of the Senate Elections Committee and five (5) members of the Senate Elections Committee appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, and the Chairman of the House Apportionment and Elections Committee and five (5) members of the House Apportionment and Elections Committee appointed by the Speaker of the House. The Chairman of the Senate Elections Committee and the Chairman of the House Apportionment and Elections Committee shall serve as cochairmen of the joint committee. The joint committee shall examine all aspects of the election of justice court judges and shall, in addition to any other aspects of the election the joint committee may choose to examine the election of justice court judges on a nonpartisan basis.

(2) The joint committee shall make a report of its findings and recommendations, including necessary legislation, to the Legislature on December 1, 2002.

(3) The joint committee shall meet on the call of the cochairmen and shall organize by selecting from its membership a vice chairman who shall also serve as secretary and shall be responsible for keeping all records of the joint committee. A majority of the members of the joint committee shall constitute a quorum. All members shall be notified in writing of all meetings and such notices shall be mailed at least five (5) days prior to the date on which a meeting is to be held.

(4) Members of the committee shall be paid from the contingent expense funds of their respective houses in the same amounts as provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session.

(5) All state agencies shall cooperate with the joint committee in providing information and resources necessary for the joint committee to make its study.

(6) The joint committee shall utilize the staff of the Legislature and any other assistance made available to it.

(7) Upon presentation of its report the joint committee shall be dissolved.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.


CONFEREES FOR THE SENATE	CONFEREES FOR THE HOUSE

X (SIGNED:)	X (SIGNED:)
Bennie L. Turner	Thomas U. Reynolds

(NOT SIGNED:)	X (SIGNED:)
Hob Bryan	Ferr Smith

X (SIGNED:)	X (SIGNED:)
Charlie Ross	Willie Bailey