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

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.