WSR 20-10-053

RULES OF COURT

STATE SUPREME COURT

[April 16, 2020]

WHEREAS, this Court has previously issued Orders related to the unprecedented situation of the COVID-19 public health emergency; and

WHEREAS, court operations, as well as nearly every aspect of Washingtonians' daily lives have been impacted by the crisis; and

WHEREAS, several proposals for court rule enactments and amendments are currently published for comment with various comment deadlines; and

WHEREAS, the Court has received requests from several stakeholder groups and individuals seeking more time to comment on the rule proposals with comment periods that are currently open; and

WHEREAS, such an extension is justified in these times of crisis;

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the Supreme Court's authority to take emergency action to oversee the enactment and amendment of court rules,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:

The original comment period for proposed amendments and new rules that are currently open for comment shall be extended through September 30, 2020. The proposed amendments and new rules affected by this Order are set forth in the attachment to this Order. Pursuant to the provisions of GR 9(g), the rule proposals have previously been published for comment in the Washington Reports, Washington Register, Washington State Bar Association and Administrative Office of the Courts' website.

The notice of the extended comment period will be posted on the Administrative Office of the Court's website. 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, 2020. 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 16th day of April, 2020.

For the Court

Stephens, C.J.

Chief Justice

The comment deadlines for the following rule proposals are hereby extended until September 30, 2020: