Renewed legislative efforts to change the way Kansas selects members for its highest courts are part of a recent wave of modifications sought nationwide to alter the composition of the state’s judicial branch.

Supporters of the changes said Friday momentum is shifting in their favor despite resistance to the idea of altering the system in which justices are chosen for the Kansas Supreme Court.

House Judiciary Chairman Lance Kinzer says he’s been working on the changes for years.

The executive director of a national organization that advocates for merit-based selection said the trend started about 10 years ago, when money started flowing into contested races in states where judges are elected.