SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5158

  AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, JANUARY 13, 1994

Brief Description:  Requiring the reporter of decisions to include the date of argument and date decided in published court opinions.

SPONSORS: Senators Talmadge and A. Smith

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators A. Smith, Chairman; Ludwig, Vice Chairman; Nelson, Quigley and Roach.

Staff:  Susan Carlson (786‑7418)

Hearing Dates: January 27, 1993; January 13, 1994

BACKGROUND:

Washington's reporter of decisions periodically publishes reports of Supreme Court and Court of Appeals decisions.  These reports must contain a number of items, including the title of each case, a summary of points decided and a statement of relevant facts.

Currently, there is no statutory requirement that the reporter of decisions include in court reports the dates on which cases are argued and decided.  It has been suggested that this information would enable potential litigants to better estimate the time required to conduct an appeal.

SUMMARY:

The reporter of decisions shall include in its reports of Supreme Court and Court of Appeals decisions the dates on which each case is argued and decided.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Requiring publication of these dates will provide better information on the length of time the courts take to process appeals.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Senator Phil Talmadge, prime sponsor (pro); Ray Krontz, Reporter of Decisions