It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 8-2-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 8-2 entitled "Superior Court" is hereby amended to read as follows:

{ADD 8-2-1. Composition. -- ADD} There shall be a superior court which shall consist of a presiding justice and {DEL twenty-one (21) DEL} {ADD twenty-two (22) ADD} associate justices {ADD except as provided in general laws 8-2-1.2 ADD} .

SECTION 2. Chapter 8-2 of the General Laws entitled "Superior Court" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

{ADD 8-2-1.2. Vacancy after December 31, 1996. -- ADD} {ADD (a) The first vacancy which occurs in the position of associate justice of the superior court after December 31, 1996 shall not be filled and the number of associate justices shall be reduced from twenty-two (22) to twenty-one (21). ADD}

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage, provided, however, the provisions of this act shall not be implemented until the city of Providence makes payment in an amount up to three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) for judicial costs incurred to the state of Rhode Island for fiscal years 1995 and 1996.