VETO MESSAGE ON SB 5170

                        May 21, 1991

To the Honorable, the Senate

  of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      I am returning herewith, without my approval as to sections 1 and 4, Senate Bill No. 5170 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to district judges."

      This bill reduces the number of district court judges in Pacific County from three to two and changes the salary setting authority for part-time district court judges' salaries from county commissions to the Citizens' Commission on Salaries.

      Section 1 of the bill reduces the number of district court judges in Pacific County.  Identical language is included in House Bill No. 1467 which I have signed.

      Section 4 contains an emergency clause.  If the emergency clause were to go into effect, the Citizens' Commission on Salaries would have only 13 days to analyze, determine a process, and set salaries for district court judges.  I do not consider that sufficient time to properly address a potentially complex issue.  By deleting the emergency clause, the salary commission will have time to evaluate the salary needs of part-time judges, take public testimony, and make appropriate salary determinations.

      For the reasons stated, I have vetoed sections 1 and 4 of Senate Bill No. 5170.

      With the exception of sections 1 and 4, Senate Bill No. 5170 is approved.

                        Respectfully submitted,

                        Booth Gardner

                        Governor