HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 6134

                       As Passed House

                        March 3, 1992

Title:  An act relating to seals for district courts.

Brief Description:  Requiring seals for district courts.

Sponsor(s):  Senators Nelson, A. Smith, Erwin and Madsen.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Judiciary, February 19, 1992, DP;

Passed House, March 3, 1992, 96-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

JUDICIARY

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 16 members:  Representatives Appelwick, Chair; Ludwig, Vice Chair; Padden, Ranking Minority Member; Paris, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Belcher; Broback; Forner; Hargrove; Inslee; R. Meyers; H. Myers; Riley; Scott; D. Sommers; Tate; and Vance.

Staff:  Bill Perry (786-7123).

Background:  In 1991, the Legislature gave the district courts jurisdiction over petitions requesting a change in a person's legal name.  The federal government and some out-of-state agencies have refused to accept and honor orders issued by district court judges because there is no seal to authenticate the order.  District court judges have requested statutory authorization to use a state seal on all of their orders.

Criminal and civil legal process issued by district courts is valid throughout the state.

Superior courts currently have express statutory authorization to use a seal on court orders.  The seal is a vignette of George Washington.

Summary of Bill:  A seal is established for district courts.  The design of the seal is a vignette of George Washington with the name of the appropriate district court.  All legal process of district courts is to be issued under the seal.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  None.