12-131. Commission on trial court appointments; notification; appointment of nonattorney member; time limits

A. At least ninety days before a term of a nonattorney member on a commission on trial court appointments expires the commission shall notify the member of the board of supervisors from the district in which the vacancy will occur of that vacancy.

B. Pursuant to article VI, section 41, Constitution of Arizona at least ninety days before a term of a nonattorney member on a commission on trial court appointments expires or within twenty-one days of a vacancy occurring for a nonattorney member on the commission for trial court appointments, the member of the board of supervisors from the district in which the vacancy has occurred shall appoint a nominating committee of seven members who reside in the district, not more than four of whom may be from the same political party. The makeup of the nominating committee shall to the extent feasible, reflect the diversity of the population of the district. Nominating committee members shall not be attorneys and shall not hold any governmental office, elective or appointive, for profit.

C. The nominating committee, within twenty days after being appointed, shall provide public notice that a vacancy exists and shall solicit applications.

D. The nominating committee, within sixty days after providing public notice that a vacancy exists, shall review the applications and forward to the governor all applications along with the committee's recommendations for appointment.

E. Pursuant to section 38-211, the governor may appoint a nonattorney member to a commission on trial court appointments without being forwarded an application from a nominating committee if any of the following applies:

1. A member of the board of supervisors does not appoint a nominating committee within twenty-one days of a vacancy occurring for a nonattorney member on the commission on trial court appointments.

2. The nominating committee does not provide public notice that a vacancy exists on the commission on trial court appointments within twenty days of appointment.

3. The nominating committee does not forward all applications to the governor within sixty days of providing public notice that a vacancy exists.