HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5170

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                          Judiciary

Title:  An act relating to district judges.

Brief Description:  Changing the number of district judges.

Sponsor(s):  Senators Snyder, Nelson and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Judiciary, April 2, 1991, DPA.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

JUDICIARY

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.  Signed by 17 members:  Representatives Appelwick, Chair; Ludwig, Vice Chair; Padden, Ranking Minority Member; Paris, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Belcher; Broback; Hargrove; Inslee; Locke; Mielke; H. Myers; Riley; Scott; D. Sommers; Tate; Vance; and Wineberry.

Staff:  Bill Perry (786-7123).

Background:  By statute, the state Legislature establishes the minimum number of district court judges elected in each county.  The judges may be either full or part time.

The statutory minimum number of district court judges in Pacific County is three.  However, currently the county has only two district court judges, both of whom are part-time.  The county believes it can operate efficiently with two district court judges.

The salaries of full and part-time district court judges are paid by counties.  The amount of the salaries for full-time judges is set by the state salary commission.  The amount of the salary for part-time judges is set by each county.

Summary of Amended Bill:  The salaries of part-time district court judges are to be established by the state salary commission.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The amendment adds the provisions relating to salaries of part-time district court judges.  The amendment removes a provision that reduces the number of district court judges in Pacific County from three to two.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The bill will allow Pacific County to better meet its district court needs.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Prime sponsor (in favor of original bill).