(1) Subject to the approval of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the presiding judge for a judicial district may establish, and may terminate, the use of a panel of reference judges for the trial and disposition of civil actions in the circuit court under ORS 3.300 to 3.321.
(2) The Supreme Court, upon motion of the Chief Justice and the presiding judge may appoint any eligible person as a reference judge on the panel established under this section. A person is eligible for appointment as a reference judge if the person is a licensee in good standing of the Oregon State Bar. An eligible person need not reside within the judicial district for which use of the panel is established.
(3) A person appointed as a reference judge on a panel may be removed from the panel by the Chief Justice or the presiding judge for the judicial district, in the sole discretion of the Chief Justice or presiding judge.
(4) A person appointed as a reference judge on a panel is subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability and the Supreme Court under ORS 1.420 and 1.430 in the same manner as a judge of the circuit court.
(5) A person appointed as a reference judge on a panel shall not be considered to be, or to have the judicial powers, duties, jurisdiction and authority of, a judge of the circuit court except to the extent provided in ORS 3.300 to 3.321.