HB 1881-S.E - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

      Provides that a change in the number of district judges after January 1, 1992, shall be determined by the legislature after receiving a recommendation from the administrator for the courts.

      Requires an impact note detailing any local or state cost associated with any recommended change.

      Requires payment of additional costs from county funds.

      Requires a report by the supreme court documenting the number of district court judges.

VETO MESSAGE ON 1881-S

                        May 21, 1991

To the Honorable, the House

  of Representatives of the

  State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      I am returning herewith, without my approval as to section 1, Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1881 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to determining the number of district court judges."

      This bill authorizes the use of the weighted caseload analysis as the basis for determining the number of full and part-time district court judges.

      RCW 3.34.010 is amended in both section 1 of Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1881 and section 1 of House Bill No. 1467 which adds additional district court judges.  If both of these sections became law, they would be in conflict.  This would create confusion in the implementation of the weighted caseload method as well as jeopardizing the new district court judge positions.

      I am assured that the enactment of section 1 of Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1881 is not necessary in order to facilitate the weighted caseload method.  To insure that this new program can be implemented without legal confusion, I have vetoed section 1 of Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1881.

      With the exception of section 1, Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1881 is approved.

                        Respectfully submitted,

                        Booth Gardner

                        Governor