AR SJR4

Allows the Governor to appoint Arkansas Supreme Court Justices subject to Senate confirmation, replacing the current nonpartisan election system, effective January 1, 2019.

Creates a 5-member Judicial Nominating Commission (3 appointed by Governor, 1 by Senate President Pro Tempore, 1 by House Speaker) to evaluate and rank candidates for Supreme Court vacancies.

Establishes a process where the Governor submits 5 candidates to the commission within 15 days of a vacancy; the commission ranks them within 15 days; the Governor appoints one candidate within 5 days, subject to Senate confirmation.

Changes Supreme Court Justice terms from 8 years to 14 years, with appointees ineligible for reappointment; commission members cannot serve on the court during their term or for 2 years after.

Allows justices elected before January 1, 2019 to complete their current terms; subsequent replacements will be appointed under the new merit-selection system.