(a) As used in this Code section, the term "year" means all or any portion of a calendar year during which a reporter or court stenographer served as official reporter under appointment by the presiding judge of the circuit.

(b) Any reporter or court stenographer in any superior court judicial circuit who has so served for 40 or more consecutive years in the same circuit shall be eligible for appointment as superior court reporter emeritus and shall be appointed to that office by the judge of the superior court of the circuit, upon application by the reporter or court stenographer.