FINAL BILL REPORT

                           SSB 5753

                         C 14 L 93 E1

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Creating a new judgeship for Cowlitz County.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Snyder and L. Smith)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

BACKGROUND:

Cowlitz County currently has three superior court judges.  The third judge was added in 1981.  Cowlitz County has experienced growth in the number of cases filed and tried in superior court.  The county does employ a part-time commissioner.

The Washington State Administrator for the Courts  has estimated that Cowlitz County needs 3.9 superior court judges to handle the current case load.

The Washington State Constitution provides that the state and counties split the salary expense for superior court judges.

SUMMARY:

An additional superior court judge is authorized for Cowlitz County, increasing the number of superior court judges in Cowlitz County from three to four.

The additional superior court judge becomes effective only if Cowlitz County authorizes the payment of the county's expenses associated with the new position. 

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    47   0

First Special Session

Senate    43   0

House     97   0

EFFECTIVE:August 5, 1993