§ 2. Organization of court of claims. 1. The court of claims is hereby
continued.

2. Such court shall consist of (a) twenty-seven judges, who shall be
appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the
senate; (b) such number of additional judges not exceeding seventeen to
and including December thirty-first, nineteen hundred eighty-two, and
not exceeding fifteen on and after January first, nineteen hundred
eighty-three, as shall be appointed by the governor, by and with the
advice and consent of the senate; (c) such number of additional judges
not exceeding nineteen as shall be appointed by the governor, by and
with the advice and consent of the senate prior to December
thirty-first, nineteen hundred eighty-two; (d) such number of additional
judges not exceeding thirty-two as shall be appointed by the governor,
by and with the advice and consent of the senate; (e) such number of
additional judges not exceeding twelve as shall be appointed by the
governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, provided
that no more than five of such judges shall be appointed prior to July
first, nineteen hundred ninety.

3. The term of each judge hereafter appointed shall be nine years,
provided, however, that the existing terms of present judges shall
continue until the expiration thereof.

4. Whenever the term of office of a judge shall expire, or his office
become vacant from any cause, his successor shall be appointed for the
unexpired term. Notwithstanding the provisions of section five of the
public officers law, a judge of the court of claims shall hold over and
continue to discharge the duties of his office, after the expiration of
the term for which he shall have been appointed, until his successor
shall have been chosen and qualified but after the expiration of such
term the office shall be deemed vacant for the purpose of choosing his
successor.

6. By an order to be filed in the office of the secretary of state,
the governor shall designate one of the judges as presiding judge, who
shall act as such during his term, and thereafter upon the appointment
of his successor, the governor shall designate such successor or any
other judge of the court as presiding judge, who shall act as such
during his term.

7. A judge of the court of claims must be an attorney and
counselor-at-law admitted to practice in the courts of this state, of at
least ten years' experience in practice.

8. Whenever in any other statute reference is made to the board of
claims or any officer thereof, the same shall be deemed to refer to and
mean the court of claims or an officer thereof. A determination of the
board of claims heretofore rendered shall have the same force and effect
and be subjected to the same procedure as provided in this act for a
judgment.