AZ SCR1049

Extends the regular term of office for Arizona Supreme Court justices and intermediate appellate court judges from 6 years to 10 years, effective January 1, 2013.

Extends the regular term of office for superior court judges from 4 years to 6 years for counties with populations of 400,000 or more, effective January 1, 2013.

Requires senate confirmation for gubernatorial appointments of justices and judges to the supreme court, intermediate appellate courts, and superior courts in counties with 400,000+ population.

Restructures judicial appointment commissions by expanding the commission on appellate court appointments to include 5 attorney members and 13 non-attorney members, and the trial court commission to include 5 attorney members, 10 non-attorney members, and 3 gubernatorially-appointed members.

Updates population threshold from 250,000 to 400,000 persons for determining which counties use the merit selection and retention system versus direct election for judges.