SB 171-JUDICIAL RETENTION CANDIDACY WITHDRAWAL                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
9:05:06 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR LYNN announced that the  first order of business was SENATE                                                               
BILL NO. 171,  "An Act relating to the withdrawal  of a candidate                                                               
from  a judicial  retention election  and the  removal of  such a                                                               
candidate's name from the general  election ballot; and providing                                                               
for an effective date."                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
9:05:13 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JASON  HOOLEY,  Special   Assistant/Legislature,  Office  of  the                                                               
Lieutenant Governor, noted that he  is also speaking on behalf of                                                               
the Division of  Elections.  Mr. Hooley explained that  SB 171 is                                                               
a response  to a problem the  Division of Elections faced  in the                                                               
last general election when contacted  by a candidate for judicial                                                               
retention  who  was considering  withdrawing  his  name from  the                                                               
general election  ballot.  He  explained that currently  there is                                                               
no statutory  provision to  allow that to  happen.   The proposed                                                               
bill would create  such a provision and make it  possible for the                                                               
judicial candidate to  notify the Division of Elections  up to 48                                                               
days before the general election.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
9:07:56 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  ROSES moved  to report  SB 171  out of  committee                                                               
with  individual  recommendations  and  the  accompanying  fiscal                                                               
notes.  There being no objection,  SB 171 was reported out of the                                                               
House State Affairs Standing Committee.