TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A day after future House Speaker Richard Corcoran pitched a similar idea, a Central Florida lawmaker Thursday proposed a constitutional amendment that would impose term limits on Supreme Court justices and appeals-court judges.
The proposal (HJR 197), filed by Rep. John Wood, R-Winter Haven, will be considered during the 2016 legislative session and could go on the November 2016 ballot if approved by lawmakers.
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The proposal would limit Supreme Court justices and appeals-court judges to two full six-year terms, though partial terms would not count toward the limit. The proposal would apply to current members of the courts. The state Constitution now does not limit the number of six-year terms served by justices and appeals-court judges, but it includes a mandatory retirement age of 70. Some members of the courts are able to finish out terms after they turn 70.
While Wood's proposal likely will draw heavy debate, it could have the powerful backing of Corcoran, a Land O'Lakes Republican who will take over as speaker after the 2016 elections. During a formal designation ceremony Wednesday, Corcoran called for imposing 12-year term limits on all judges.