HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB
1467
As Passed House
March 11, 1991
Title: An act relating to district judges.
Brief Description: Increasing the number of district judges.
Sponsor(s): Representatives R. Meyers, Padden, Paris, Tate, Mielke, Broback, Forner, Vance, May, Brough, Winsley, D. Sommers, Mitchell and Roland.
Brief History:
Reported by House Committee on:
Judiciary, February 20, 1991, DP;
Passed House, March 11, 1991, 93-0.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON
JUDICIARY
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 19 members: Representatives Appelwick, Chair; Ludwig, Vice Chair; Padden, Ranking Minority Member; Paris, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Belcher; Broback; Forner; Hargrove; Inslee; Locke; R. Meyers; Mielke; H. Myers; Riley; Scott; D. Sommers; Tate; Vance; and Wineberry.
Staff: Bill Perry (786-7123).
Background: The minimum number of district court judges in each county is set by statute. Periodically, these numbers are adjusted to reflect shifts in population and caseloads.
Summary of Bill: The minimum numbers of district court judges in three counties are increased as follows:
oKing County from 24 to 26;
oPierce County from 8 to 11; and
oSpokane County from 8 to 9.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: The workload for the district courts in these counties justifies the additional judges.
Testimony Against: None.
Witnesses: Michele Radosevich, Washington State Trial Lawyers Association (in favor); Ron Main, King County (in favor); Kurt Sharar, Washington State Association of Counties (in favor); and Jim Heller, Pierce County District Court (in favor).