1. (a) This section applies to each sitting judge who wishes to stand for retention under section 13.3 of this chapter in 2026.
2. (b) Before a judge may stand for retention under section 13.3 of this chapter in 2026, the judge must appear, in person, before the committee to permit the committee to determine the judge's suitability to continue to hold judicial office.

3. (c) Not later than March 1, 2026, the judge shall:

   1. (1) notify the committee that the judge wishes to be retained in office; and
   2. (2) provide the committee with a written statement describing the judge's qualifications and suitability to continue to hold judicial office, with particular emphasis on the matters described in section 13.4(b) of this chapter.

4. (d) After receiving the materials described in subsection (c), the committee shall promptly schedule an in-person hearing to consider the materials submitted by the judge and interview the judge. The hearings shall be:

   1. (1) held in executive session; and
   2. (2) scheduled with sufficient time for the committee to make a determination as to the judge's suitability to remain in office and provide notice to the clerk under subsection (h) not later than May 15, 2026.
5. (e) A judge is presumed suitable to continue to hold judicial office. The affirmative votes of at least nine (9) committee members are required to find that a judge is not suitable to continue to hold judicial office.
6. (f) If the committee finds that a judge is not suitable to continue to hold judicial office, the judge shall not be retained beyond the conclusion of the judge's current term and the judge shall be replaced through section 13.4 of this chapter.
7. (g) If the committee finds that a judge is suitable to continue to hold judicial office, the judge may be retained subject to the approval of the electorate of Marion County under section 13.3 of this chapter.
8. (h) The committee shall provide a notice to the clerk of each decision made under subsection (f) or (g). If a judge has not been found suitable for retention under this section, the clerk shall not include on the ballot the question of the judge's retention.
9. (i) Subject to section 13.1 of this chapter, the committee may adopt policies and operating procedures to implement this section.
10. (j) This section expires January 1, 2027.

As added by P.L.76-2026, SEC.10.