§ 1-603. Public hearing and commission deliberation.

   (A) The first public hearing is set by the chairperson and held within 60 days after final determination of the judicial vacancy. At least 10 days prior to the public hearing, the chairperson shall release the names of the applicants. For the public hearing, there shall be present for voting eight qualified members of the appropriate judicial nominating commission, including alternate members. Any member of the public shall be entitled to attend the public hearing to express, either orally or in writing, his or her views concerning candidates for judicial vacancy. 

   (B) Each commission member will execute the official oath pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-801.01 and a statement of understanding of ethical considerations, attached hereto as appendix A. Each commission member will be provided a Nebraska Judicial Nominating Commissioner's Handbook, the contents of which shall include the American Bar Association's Guidelines for Reviewing Qualifications of Candidates for State Judicial Office and a checklist of qualifications. The qualifications checklist will be used as a guide to provide uniformity in evaluating candidates.

   (C) The commission may hold private interviews with candidates prior to or following the public hearing. While commission members may encourage qualified persons to apply for judicial vacancies, once the application period closes, any private interviews with persons who have submitted an application for a judicial vacancy shall be with the full commission present. 

   (D) Following the public hearing and the commission’s deliberations, the chairperson shall be responsible for notifying the applicants and the Governor of the result of the deliberations. The list of applicants determined to be sufficiently qualified to hold the judicial position in question shall be submitted to the Governor in alphabetical order.

§ 1-603 amended April 8, 2026, effective May 1, 2026.