The Florida House on Friday approved a bill that would give Gov. Rick Scott more power over the makeup of judicial nominating commissions.
The bill (HB 971) would allow the governor to replace some members of the commissions, saying that those members “serve at the pleasure of the governor.”
Democrats criticized the proposal, arguing it would give too much power to the governor and inject more politics into judicial selections.
“This is not the way we should be picking our judges,” said Rep. Rick Kriseman, D-St. Petersburg.
But sponsor Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, said politics are already involved in judicial selections and that voters can hold the governor responsible for such decisions.
Under state law, the governor appoints four members of each JNC from recommendations made by The Florida Bar. The governor appoints five members without Bar input.
HB 971 would allow replacement of the five members appointed solely by the governor.
The House voted 77-35, along almost straight party lines, to approve the bill. The Senate version (SB 1570) has been approved by one committee.
