Rep. Kate Harper (R., Montgomery), who sponsored the legislation to increase the retirement age for judges, arguing it was long overdue, said Thursday she worried about the impact the suit might have on resolving the ballot question. Changing the mandatory retirement age requires an amendment to the state constitution; thus, it needs approval by the legislature in two consecutive sessions before it could appear on the ballot. "As the legislator who carried the water for this," Harper said, "it takes forever to get a bill across the finish line."