The Retired Judge Service Act further enlarged the Commission’s jurisdiction and added the responsibility of recommending a judge for appointment as a senior judge subsequent to retirement.  The Commission is required to submit a written report of its findings to the appropriate Chief Judge, and to make a recommendation concerning a judge’s fitness and qualifications to continue judicial service. 

If the Commission makes a favorable recommendation, the Chief Judge determines if the judge is to be appointed a senior judge.  If the Commission makes an unfavorable recommendation, the requesting judge is ineligible for appointment.  The recommendation of the Commission and the decision of the Chief Judge regarding the appointment are final.  A senior judge must be recommended for reappointment every four years, unless the judge has reached age seventy-four, in which case, a recommendation and reappointment are required every two years.