ID S1347

Revises retirement options for Idaho Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and District Court judges, creating two election paths: paragraph (a) for standard retirement compensation, and paragraph (b) for enhanced benefits requiring five years of senior judge service.

Judges who assumed office on or after July 1, 2012 and elect to retire under paragraph (b) receive retirement compensation based on time-of-retirement salary adjusted annually, plus an additional 2.5% per five years of senior judge service (maximum 75% total).

Establishes senior judge service obligations: 35 days per year for five years for judges appointed before July 1, 2012; 60 days per year for five years for judges appointed on or after July 1, 2012.

Judicial vacancies created when judges retire mid-term under paragraph (b) must remain vacant until a qualified candidate is successfully elected at the next judicial election; if no candidate is elected, the governor may then fill the position by appointment.

Effective July 1, 2024, with provisions allowing judges serving on April 1, 2024 to elect retirement options and establishing "good cause" exemptions from senior judge service requirements including disability, insufficient court assignments, or death.