AZ SCR1046

Extends the regular term of office for Arizona Supreme Court justices from 6 years to 10 years for any term beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and extends intermediate appellate court judges' terms from unspecified to 10 years.

Restructures the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments to include 5 attorney members nominated by the state bar and 13 nonattorney members appointed by the governor, replacing the previous composition structure.

Establishes staggered terms for commission members: attorney members serve 4-year terms expiring January 2015 and every 4 years thereafter, while nonattorney members serve 2-year terms expiring January 1, 2013 and every 2 years thereafter.

Requires Senate confirmation for Supreme Court and intermediate appellate court judicial appointments; the Senate may reject an appointment within 60 days, and if no rejection occurs, the appointee automatically takes office.

Changes the number of nominees submitted to the governor for appellate court vacancies from 3 to at least 6 persons, with no more than all nominees from the same political party if 6 or fewer qualified applicants exist.