Temporary Appointments on the Commission on Judicial Disabilities

What it is

An amendment about temporary membership on the Commission on Judicial Disabilities, the body that investigates complaints against Maryland judges.

The Commission on Judicial Disabilities can lose the members it needs to do its work: someone steps aside from a case, someone is disqualified, or a term runs out before a replacement is named. This amendment would let the Commission fill those gaps temporarily — by recalling an eligible former member, asking the Governor to appoint a temporary substitute, or extending a sitting member's term until a replacement arrives.

Temporary members would have to meet the same qualifications as permanent ones.

It passed the legislature without a single vote against.

What your vote does

A vote FOR

The Constitution would permit those temporary replacements and term extensions, so the Commission can keep working when it is short of members.

A vote AGAINST

The current membership rules stay as they are, with no mechanism for temporary replacements — so the Commission continues to be held up when a seat cannot be filled.

The words on the ballot

Question 2 Constitutional Amendment (Ch. 878 of the 2026 Legislative Session) Temporary Appointments on the Commission on Judicial Disabilities

Authorizing temporary substitute appointments to the Commission on Judicial Disabilities when a member is recused or disqualified, or when a member's term expires. In these situations, the Commission Chair may recall a former member of the Commission, or the Governor, at the request of the Commission Chair, may appoint a temporary substitute member or extend the term of a current member until a permanent replacement is appointed. Only individuals who meet the constitutional eligibility requirements may be recalled or appointed to the Commission.

(Amending Article IV of the Maryland Constitution)

• For the Constitutional Amendment — A vote FOR this amendment means that temporary appointments to the Commission are allowed if a member is recused, disqualified, or if a member's term ends without a replacement. The Commission Chair can temporarily fill an opening on the Commission with a former member. The Governor can, at the request of the Commission Chair pick a temporary substitute to fill an opening on the Commission or extend the term of a current member until a replacement is appointed. Only individuals who meet the constitutional eligibility requirements may be recalled or appointed to the Commission.
• Against the Constitutional Amendment — A vote AGAINST the amendment means that current membership rules for the Commission stay the same. Temporary appointments are not allowed if a member is recused, disqualified, or if a member's term ends.

What it costs

The Department of Legislative Services says approval would make the Commission run more smoothly but has no material effect on state finances or operations. No effect on local government, and none on small businesses.

Background

The measure passed the Senate 41-0 and the House 134-0. That is legislative history rather than an argument for voting either way, but a unanimous passage is worth knowing when weighing how contested a question is.

No unfavourable testimony was found in the 2026 witness record.

Sources

Official record

• Proposed constitutional amendment text (Maryland State Board of Elections)
• State ballot question summaries — Department of Legislative Services (note: enclosure pages carry superseded question numbering)
• 2026 ballot questions — Maryland State Board of Elections

The measure itself

• SB 933 (Chapter 878)

Official cost estimate

• Fiscal and policy note — SB 933 (Department of Legislative Services)

Testimony to the legislature

• Witness list — SB 933