(a) Constitution.--In order to increase the number of Superior Court judges so that the court shall hereafter be composed of 15 judges, pursuant to sections 3 and 13 of Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania, the appointment of eight additional judges to the court is hereby provided for. These additional judges shall possess the qualifications otherwise required by law for judges of the Superior Court and shall be initially appointed as provided in this section.

(b) Initial appointments.--The Governor, with the advice and consent of two-thirds of the members elected to the Senate, shall appoint eight additional judges for initial terms as follows:

(1) Two judges shall be appointed for terms ending the first Monday of January next following the third municipal election more than ten months after the additional judges are selected. These appointees shall be of different political parties.

(2) Two judges shall be appointed for terms ending the first Monday of January next following the second municipal election more than ten months after the additional judges are selected. These appointees shall be of different political parties.

(3) Four judges shall be appointed for terms ending the first Monday of January next following the first municipal election more than ten months after the additional judges are selected. Of these appointees, no more than two shall be of the same political party.

(c) Vacancies.--Vacancies caused by the death, retirement, resignation or removal of a judge appointed under this section shall be filled in the manner and for the term prescribed by section 13 of Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania.

(d) Retention declarations.--No judge appointed pursuant to this section shall, prior to the expiration of his appointive term, file a declaration of candidacy for retention, as provided in section 15 of Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania.

(e) Elections.--Elections for judges of the court shall be held at the times and in the manner prescribed by section 13 of Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, pursuant to the election laws of this Commonwealth applicable to the election of judges of the Superior Court.

(f) Terms of judges.--Except as provided in this section for the initial appointive terms for additional judges of the Superior Court, the terms of office of judges of the Superior Court shall be as otherwise provided by law.

(June 11, 1980, P.L.213, No.63, eff. imd.)

1980 Amendment. Act 63 added section 544.