27-23-02. Creation and composition of commission, terms of office, appointment, and powers

27-23-02. Creation and composition of commission, terms of office, appointment, and powers. The judicial conduct commission consists of two judges of the district court, one lawyer licensed to practice law in this state, and four citizens who are not judges, retired judges, or lawyers. Members representing the district court must be appointed by their state association and the lawyer member must be appointed by the board of governors of the state bar association of North Dakota. The citizen members must be appointed by the governor. The term of each member is three years. A member may not serve more than two full three-year terms. Membership terminates if a member ceases to hold the position that qualified the member for appointment. A vacancy must be filled by the appointing power for the remainder of the term. Any appointment to fill a vacancy not made within forty-five days after the vacancy occurs or the term of office ends must be made by the supreme court. The commission shall select one of its members as chair. The commission has the power to investigate complaints against any judge in the state and the chair may appoint a hearing panel to conduct hearings concerning the discipline, removal, retirement, or transfer to incapacity inactive status of any judge.