AZ SCR1044

Proposes constitutional amendment to Article VI, Section 37 allowing the Governor to appoint judicial vacancies from nominees submitted by commissions or from any other qualified person of the Governor's own choosing.

Extends the Governor's appointment deadline from 60 days to 120 days after a judicial vacancy occurs before the Chief Justice must appoint from the submitted nominees.

Removes a provision that allowed the Governor to appoint any qualified person if the commission failed to submit nominees within 60 days.

Maintains existing requirements that appellate court nominees consider diversity of state population and trial court nominees consider county population diversity, with merit as primary consideration.

Requires nominees for trial court positions in counties with populations under 250,000 to be under 65 years of age and have resided in the county for at least one year.