Topeka ? Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration is urging the state Senate to act on a bill that would change the process for selecting judges for the state Court of Appeals.

The measure would have judges appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. Currently, a statewide nominating commission screens applications for vacancies and recommends three finalists to the governor, who appoints one without Senate confirmation.

The measure passed the House last month but hasn’t had a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Brownback’s chief counsel, Caleb Stegall, says the change would make the selection process more open. A majority of nominating commission members are lawyers, chosen only by other lawyers.

But opponents of changing the system say it has helped keep partisan politics out of the selection process.