Fixing the size of the legislature and gubernatorial appointment of supreme court justices (first consideration)

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

This proposed constitutional amendment, proposed to the 2009 legislature on first consideration, fixes the size of the legislature at 99 members of the assembly and 33 senators. It also requires the governor to appoint, with the advice and consent of the senate, justices of the supreme court for ten-year terms. At the conclusion of their terms, the terms of justices would be automatically renewed unless they are rejected in a reaffirmation vote by a vote of at least 13 of the members of the senate.

If the senate does not reaffirm, the governor would be required to appoint a new justice. Previously elected justices whose terms expire two or more years after ratification will serve out the terms for which they were elected and may be reaffirmed for additional terms by the senate. Previously elected justices whose terms expire less than two years after ratification may stand for reelection in the final year of their terms. This proposed amendment changes a reference to the election of the state superintendent of public instruction as being held in the same manner as the election of justices, but does not affect the manner of the superintendent's election.

Who's behind it

2 representatives are its authors⁠. All 2 are Democrats.