SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1455

BYHouse Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives Appelwick, Patrick, Heavey and Brough)

Authorizing local elections in single district courts with multiple courtrooms.

House Committe on Judiciary

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 30, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Pullen, Chairman; McCaslin, Vice Chairman; Hayner, Nelson, Newhouse, Niemi, Rasmussen, Talmadge, Thorsness.

Senate Staff:Richard Rodger (786-7461)

                  March 30, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, MARCH 30, 1989

BACKGROUND:

District courts are organized by districts that are established in each county by resolution of the county legislative authority upon recommendation of a district court districting committee.  The committee consists of a superior court judge, a district court judge, the county prosecutor, the county auditor, a practicing lawyer selected by the bar association, an official from each city in the county, and the chair of the county legislative authority.

Each county may be organized into one or more district court districts.  The districting committee may recommend changes in the number or boundaries of districts at any time.

Judges of the district courts are elected at large from each district.  Some district court districts may have more than one courtroom location.  In the process of consolidating district court districts within a county, a new district may also be created that has more than one courtroom location.

The minimum number of district court judges in King County is set by statute at 20.  That number may be increased by the county legislative authority.

SUMMARY:

If a district court district has more than one courtroom location, the county legislative authority may establish separate district court election subdistricts around each courtroom location.  The subdistrict boundaries are to follow precinct, neighborhood, and community boundaries as nearly as possible, and are to contain approximately equal populations.

The minimum number of district court judges in King County is raised from 20 to 24.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Judge Robert McBeth, Renton District Court (pro); Ron Main, King County Council, King County Executive's office (pro)