HB 2627

Title: An act relating to estimating the need for judicial positions.

Brief Description: Revising the method for estimating the need for judicial positions.

Sponsors: Representatives Lantz, Carrell and Rockefeller; by request of Administrative Office of the Courts.

Hearing Date: 1/30/04

Staff: Edie Adams (786-7180).

Background:

The Administrator for the Courts (Administrator) is appointed by the Washington Supreme Court from a list of five persons submitted by the Governor. The Administrator is charged with administering various aspects of the state court system, such as fostering court efficiency, training personnel, designing forms, developing standards, and controlling costs.

One of the duties of the Administrator is to examine the need for new superior court and district court judicial positions. In the 2002 session the Legislature passed HB 2471, which changed the method used to determine judicial need for district courts from a "weighted caseload analysis" to an "objective workload analysis." The measure that made this same change with respect to determining the need for additional superior court judges did not pass the Legislature, so the weighted caseload analysis is still referenced in the statute governing determining the need for judicial positions in superior court.

Summary of Bill:

The weighted caseload analysis that is used by the Administrator to examine the need for new judicial positions is replaced with an "objective workload analysis."

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.