Chief Judge Janet DiFiore on Wednesday unveiled a comprehensive proposal to overhaul the state's trial court system, which would consolidate the current structure of 11 separate trial courts to a three-tier model intended to streamline and simplify litigation in New York.

The reform would require an amendment to the state constitution, which is done through two votes by two consecutive classes of the state Legislature, followed by approval from voters.

Lawmakers in Albany haven't had much of an appetite in recent years for reforming the state's trial court system, a measure that's been floated by state court officials for decades. DiFiore said Wednesday that it's time for the Legislature to come around to the idea.