HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1467

                  As Amended by the Senate

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;

Amended by Senate.

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.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S): The amendment reduces from three to two the minimum number of district court judges in Pacific County.

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).

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Yeas 93; Excused 2; Absent 3

Excused:  Representatives Holland, Padden

Absent:  Representatives Rayburn, Sprenkle, Wang