BILL REQ. #:  H-1424.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/18/13.   

     AN ACT Relating to judicial proceedings and forms; and amending RCW 2.36.095, 11.96A.090, and 26.26.610.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 2.36.095 and 1993 c 408 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Persons selected to serve on a petit jury, grand jury, or jury of inquest shall be summoned by mail or personal service. The county clerk shall issue summons and thereby notify persons selected for jury duty. The clerk may issue summons for any jury term, in any consecutive twelve-month period, at any time thirty days or more before the beginning of the jury term for which the summons are issued. However, when applicable, the provisions of RCW 2.36.130 apply.
     (2) In courts of limited jurisdiction summons shall be issued by the court. Upon the agreement of the courts, the county clerk may summon jurors for any and all courts in the county or judicial district.
     (((3) The county clerk shall notify the county auditor of each summons for jury duty that is returned by the postal service as undeliverable.))

Sec. 2   RCW 11.96A.090 and 1999 c 42 s 302 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A judicial proceeding under this title is a special proceeding under the civil rules of court. The provisions of this title governing such actions control over any inconsistent provision of the civil rules.
     (2) A judicial proceeding under this title ((may)) must be commenced as a new action ((or as an action incidental to an existing judicial proceeding relating to the same trust or estate or nonprobate asset)).
     (3) Once commenced, the action may be consolidated with an existing proceeding ((or converted to a separate action)) upon the motion of a party for good cause shown, or by the court on its own motion.
     (4) The procedural rules of court apply to judicial proceedings under this title only to the extent that they are consistent with this title, unless otherwise provided by statute or ordered by the court under RCW 11.96A.020 or 11.96A.050, or other applicable rules of court.

Sec. 3   RCW 26.26.610 and 2002 c 302 s 533 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) On request of a party and for good cause shown, the court may close a proceeding under this section and RCW 26.26.500 through 26.26.605 and 26.26.615 through 26.26.630.
     (2) A final order in a proceeding under this section and RCW 26.26.500 through 26.26.605 and 26.26.615 through 26.26.630 is available for public inspection. ((Other papers and records)) Documents and pleadings filed prior to the entry of a final order are available only with the consent of the parties or on order of the court for good cause.
     (3) Except as provided by applicable court rules, all documents and pleadings filed after the entry of a final order in a proceeding under this section and RCW 26.26.500 through 26.26.605 and 26.26.615 through 26.26.630 are available for public inspection.