FINAL BILL REPORT
ESB 5135
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
C 26 L 09
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Adding five district court judges in King county and reducing the number of judges in Spokane county.
Sponsors: Senators Kline, Tom, McDermott and Kohl-Welles; by request of Board For Judicial Administration.
Senate Committee on Judiciary
House Committee on Judiciary
Background: Under current law, King County is permitted to elect 21 district court judges. Pursuant to RCW 3.34.020(5)(a), "[c]hanges in the number of district court judges may only be made by the legislature in a year in which the quadrennial election for district court judges is not held." Furthermore, a request for additional district court judges must go through the Administrator for the Courts, under the supervision of the Supreme Court, which then conducts a workload analysis and makes a recommendation to the Legislature. The Administrator for the Courts has found, through its objective workload analysis, that the workload for King County District Courts increased by 46 percent from 2004 to 2007. Therefore, the court seeks to phase in five new district court judge positions over the course of the next three years.
Summary: There will be 23 district judges elected in King County in 2009, 25 in 2010, and 26 in 2011. The number of district court judges in Spokane County will be reduced from ten to eight.
Votes on Final Passage:
Senate | 46 | 1 | |
House | 96 | 1 |
Effective: July 26, 2009