Term limit bills filed in both chambers.

Constitutional amendments to impose term limits on Florida's appellate judiciary have been introduced in both the Florida House and Senate. In addition to the term limits, the Senate proposal would require those seeking to serve on district courts of appeal or the Supreme Court to be at least 50 years old.

Rep. Jennifer Sullivan, R-Mount Dora, filed HJR 1 that would prevent DCA judges and Supreme Court justices from appearing on the merit retention ballot if they have already served 12 years on their court.

House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O' Lakes, has made judicial term limits a top priority.

Sen. Travis Hutson, R-Elkton, introduced SJR 482, which has slightly different provisions. It would limit Supreme Court justices to two full six-year terms and DCA judges to three full six-year terms. It would also require that lawyers serving on those courts be at last 50 years old when taking those judicial seats. Additionally, new Supreme Court justices would have had to serve at least one prior year as a judge.

Last year, the House passed an amendment limiting the appellate judiciary to two appearances on the merit retention ballot which, depending on when they were appointed, would limit them to 12 to 15 years of service on those courts. (The proposal initially included all judges, but was amended in committee.) The proposal was never heard in a Senate committee and died.

The Florida Bar Board of...

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