CSSB 14(JUD) - Selection and Retention of Judicial Officers

• Adds magistrates to judicial retention election ballots as a fifth category, with four-year retention terms, alongside supreme court justices (10 years), court of appeals judges (8 years), superior court judges (6 years), and district court judges (4 years).

• Requires magistrates to file declarations of candidacy and pay $30 filing fees by August 1, undergo judicial council evaluations, and be subject to retention elections every four years following initial approval.

• Modifies judicial appointment procedures to allow governors to appoint one person from judicial council nominations without the "two or more persons" requirement, with legislative confirmation required only once per appointment rather than for each vacancy.

• Adds requirement that judicial council nominees understand and are committed to "strict constitutional interpretation of statutes and regulations and adhering to legislative intent" before submission to governor.

• Prohibits use of state funds to support or oppose retention elections of judicial officers, with exception for judicial council duties under specified statutes.