Kentucky Revised Statutes, Chapter 34 — Judicial Commissions

Title IV — Judicial Branch

Includes enactments through the 2026 Regular Session.

The KRS database was last updated on 2026-08-30.

Title IV Judicial Branch

Chapter 34 Judicial Commissions

Judicial Nominating Commissions Judicial Nominating Commissions

34.010 Terms -- Appointments.

(1) Members of judicial nominating commissions, both statewide and local, shall hold office for a term of four (4) years and until such time as their successors shall be appointed or elected, except as provided in subsection (2).

(2) Of those members appointed by the Governor to the first judicial nominating commissions, the appointments shall be as follows:

(a) One (1) member of the political party having the largest number of registered voters and one (1) member of the political party having the second largest number of registered voters shall be appointed for a term to expire January 1, 1980; and

(b) One (1) member of the political party having the largest number of registered voters and one (1) member of the political party having the second largest number of registered voters shall be appointed for a term to expire January 1, 1978.

(3) Thereafter, as each term expires, the vacancy so created shall be filled by an appointee from the same political party for a term of four (4) years.

(4) Appointments or elections to fill the unexpired term of a member shall be for the remainder of the term.

(5) Members representing the bar shall be elected according to rules promulgated by the Supreme Court with the expenses of the elections being paid from the State Treasury.

Effective: March 9, 1976

History: Created 1976 Ky. Acts ch. 51, sec. 1, effective March 9, 1976.

34.020 Compensation of members.

Members of judicial nominating commissions shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be paid their necessary expenses for each day spent in the performance of their duties. All claims for expenses shall be approved by the Chief Justice or his designee and shall be paid out of the State Treasury.

Effective: March 9, 1976

History: Created 1976 Ky. Acts ch. 51, sec. 2, effective March 9, 1976.

34.030 Administrative services -- Records.

The Administrative Office of the Courts shall provide administrative support for, and maintain the records of, judicial nominating commissions. The director of the Administrative Office of the Courts shall certify the costs for these services to the Chief Justice who, upon verification, shall certify the expenses for payment out of the State Treasury.

Effective: March 9, 1976

History: Created 1976 Ky. Acts ch. 51, sec. 3, effective March 9, 1976.

Judicial Retirement and Removal Commission Judicial Retirement and Removal Commission

34.310 Membership.

(1) The members of the Judicial Retirement and Removal Commission to be selected from among the Judges of the Court of Appeals, the Circuit Judges, and the District Judges, shall be selected according to rules promulgated by the Supreme Court.

(2) The member of the commission to be appointed by the governing body of the bar shall be appointed according to rules promulgated by the Supreme Court.

(3) The members of the commission appointed by the Governor shall include one (1) person from each of the two (2) political parties of the Commonwealth having the largest number of registered voters.

(4) All members of the commission shall serve until their successors are elected or appointed, as the case may be.

History: Amended 1976 (1st Extra. Sess.) Ky. Acts ch. 14, sec. 9. -- Created 1976 Ky. Acts ch. 68, sec. 1.

34.320 Compensation -- Expenses.

Members of the Judicial Retirement and Removal Commission who do not otherwise receive a salary from the State Treasury shall receive sixty dollars ($60) for each day they are in session or on official duty. All members shall be reimbursed for their necessary expenses for each day they are in session or on official duty. All claims shall be approved by the Chief Justice or his designee and shall be paid out of the State Treasury.

Effective: March 23, 1976

History: Created 1976 Ky. Acts ch. 68, sec. 4, effective March 23, 1976.

34.330 Oaths -- Testimony -- Evidence -- Contempt proceedings.

In the exercise of its powers and duties, the Judicial Retirement and Removal Commission may administer necessary oaths, take testimony under oath, compel the attendance of witnesses, and compel the production of records and other evidence. If any witness refuses to testify concerning any matter on which he may lawfully be interrogated, any Circuit Judge, on application of the commission may compel obedience by proceedings for contempt as in the case of disobedience of a subpoena issued from the Circuit Court.

Effective: March 9, 1976

History: Amended 1976 (1st Extra. Sess.) Ky. Acts ch. 14, sec. 10. -- Created 1976 Ky. Acts ch. 68, sec. 3, effective March 9, 1976.

34.340 Majority vote required.

No justice or judge shall be retired for disability or suspended without pay or removed for good cause except upon a majority vote of members of the Judicial Retirement and Removal Commission.

Effective: March 23, 1976

History: Created 1976 Ky. Acts ch. 68, sec. 2, effective March 23, 1976.