SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6136

                            AS OF JANUARY 20, 1992

Brief Description:  Deleting obsolete references in determining the weighted caseload for district court judges.

SPONSORS: Senators Nelson, A. Smith, Erwin and Madsen

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Staff:  Lidia Mori (786‑7755)

Hearing Dates:

BACKGROUND:

ESHB 1881, passed during the 1991 session, established a weighted caseload system by which the number of district court judges would be determined.  It embodied a careful compromise between the District Court Judges Association and the Association of Counties. 

An additional method for determining the number of district court judges also exists in statute.  A county is allowed to reduce the number of district court judges by one if a city pulls out of the district court system.  This reduction could occur regardless of the workload attributable to such withdrawal.

It is believed that it would be preferable to have only one method of determining the number of district court judges so that all counties are utilizing the same process.

SUMMARY:

The weighted caseload system is the method by which the number of district court judges is determined for each county.  The Revised Code of Washington 3.34.030 is repealed.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested