WSR 19-15-064

RULES OF COURT

STATE SUPREME COURT

[July 10, 2019]

The Board for Judicial Administration, having recommended the suggested amendments to BJAR Preamble, BJAR 1—Board for Judicial Administration, BJAR 2—Composition, BJAR 3—Operation, BJAR 4—Duties, and new rule BJAR 5—Staff, and the Court having approved the suggested amendments for publication;

Now, therefore, it is hereby

(a) That pursuant to the provisions of GR 9(g), the suggested amendments as shown below are to be published for comment in the Washington Reports, Washington Register, Washington State Bar Association and Administrative Office of the Court's websites in July 2019.

(b) The purpose statement as required by GR 9(e), is published solely for the information of the Bench, Bar and other interested parties.

(c) Comments are to be submitted to the Clerk of the Supreme Court by either U.S. Mail or Internet E-Mail by no later than September 30, 2019. Comments may be sent to the following addresses: P.O. Box 40929, Olympia, Washington 98504-0929, or supreme@courts.wa.gov. Comments submitted by e-mail message must be limited to 1500 words.

dated at Olympia, Washington this 10th day of July, 2019.

The power of the judiciary to make administrative policy governing its operations is an essential element of its constitutional status as an equal branch of government. The Board for Judicial Administration is established to adopt policies and provide strategic leadership for the courts at large, enabling the judiciary to speak with one voice.

The Board for Judicial Administration is created to provide effective leadership to the state courts and to develop policy to enhance the administration of the court system in Washington State.The Board for Judicial Administration (BJA) is established to provide leadership and develop policy to enhance the judiciary's ability to serve as an equal, independent, and responsible branch of government. The vision of the BJA is to be the unified voice of the Washington State Courts. Judges serving on the BJABoard for Judicial Administration shall pursue the best interests of the judiciary at large.

(a) Membership. The BJA shall consist of judges from all levels of court and other key stakeholders.selected for their demonstrated interest in and commitment to judicial administration and court improvement.The voting membership of the BJA shall consist of the Chief Justice and one other member of the Supreme Court, The Board shall consist of five members from the appellate courts (two from the Supreme Court, one of whom shall be the Chief Justice, and one member from each division of the Court of Appeals), five members from the Ssuperior Ccourt Judges' Associations, one of whom shall be the president of the Superior Court Judges' Association, and five members from the District and Municipal Court Judges'ofAssociation,the courts of limited jurisdiction, one of whom shall be the President of the District and Municipal Court Judges' Association. The non-voting membership shall include the Washington State Bar Association's Executive Director and Board President, the Administrator for the Courts (non-voting),.the Presiding Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, the President-elect judge of the Superior Court Judges' Association, and the President-elect judge of the District and Municipal Court Judges' Association.

(b) Selection—. Members shall be selected based upon a process established by their respective associations or court level which considers demonstrated interest and commitment to judicial administration, improving the courts, racial and gender diversity, and the court'sas well as geographic and caseload differences.

(c) Terms of OfficeTerms of Office.

(1) Members serve four year terms, except the Chief Justice, the President Judges, the Washington State Bar Association's President and Executive Director, and the Administrator for the Courts who shall serve during their tenure.

(2) Members serving on the BJA shall be granted equivalent pro tempore time.

(a) LeadershipLeadership. The Board for Judicial Administration shall be chaired by the Chief Justice of the Washington Supreme Court in conjunction with a Member Chair who shall be elected by the Board. The duties of the Chief Justice Chair and the Member Chair shall be clearly articulated in the bylaws. Meetings of the Board may be convened by either chair and held at least bimonthly. Any Board member may submit issues for the meeting agenda.

(b) CommitteesCommittees. Ad hoc and standing committees may be appointed for the purpose of facilitating the work of the Board. Non-judicial committee members shall participate in non-voting advisory capacity only.

(1) The Board shall appoint at least four standing committees: Policy and Planning, Budget and Funding, Education, and Legislative. Other committees may be convened to help facilitate the work of the Board as determined by the Board.

(2) The Chief Justice and the Member Chair shall nominate for the Board's approval the chairs and members of the committees. Committee membership may include citizens, experts from the private sector, members of the legal community, legislators, clerks, and court administrators.

Staff for the Board for Judicial Administration shall be provided by the Administrator for the Courts.

The Board may, by a majority vote of the voting members, develop, adopt, and amend bylaws for its operations that do not conflict with these rules.