H259 - 2023 Appropriations Act. (SL 2023-134)

Overview: Section 16.19 of S.L. 2023-134 provides that upon retirement, resignation, removal from office, death, or expiration of the term of any special superior court judge on or after September 1, 2014, each judgeship shall be filled for a full eight-year term (previously a five-year term). Further, effective January 1, 2024, the General Assembly may appoint, by enactment of a bill, 10 special superior court judges to serve terms expiring at the earlier of 1) eight years from the date that each judge takes office, or 2) the date of the judge's death, retirement, resignation, or removal from office. Five of these judges shall be nominated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one residing in each of the five judicial districts, and five shall be nominated by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, one residing in each of the five judicial districts.

Special superior court judgeships in place as of April 1, 2023, whether filled or vacant, shall be extended to an eight-year term. This section applies to all special superior court judges currently filling these judgeships, whether serving an appointment for the full term or serving the remainder of an unexpired term, in which case the unexpired term shall be similarly extended to be an eight-year term.

This section became effective July 1, 2023.