Governor Signs Bill Removing Civil Protections for Judges

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed into law a bill that would remove civil protections for sitting administrative law judges and give the governor the authority to remove the director of the Industrial Commission.Brewer signed HB 2571, introduced by Rep. Justin Olson, R-Mesa, on May 10 and the bill becomes effective on Sept. 28.The measure states that the director of the Industrial Commission shall be elected by commission members but serve at the pleasure of the governor. The previous standard for removing a commissioner was “for cause,” such as inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfea...