HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1176

                    As Amended by Senate

Title:  An act relating to the number of District Court judges.

Brief Description:  Authorizing Benton county to have one additional District Court judge.

Sponsors:  Representatives Delvin, Hickel, Sheahan, Appelwick, Dellwo, Hankins, Mastin, Honeyford and Padden.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Law & Justice:  1/24/95, 1/31/95 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  2/17/95, 94-0.

Senate Amended.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 15 members:  Representatives Padden, Chair; Delvin, Vice Chair; Hickel, Vice Chair; Appelwick, Ranking Minority Member; Costa, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Carrell; Chappell; Cody; Lambert; McMahan; Morris; Robertson; Sheahan; Smith and Veloria.

Staff:  Pat Shelledy (786-7149).

Background:  Before a county may increase the number of District Court judges, the Legislature must approve the increase.  The Supreme Court makes a recommendation to the Legislature and bases its recommendation on a weighted caseload analysis.  Additional judgeships are effective only if the county legislative authority approves the additional position and agrees to pay for the position with county funds without reimbursement from the state.  The county may use criminal justice funding money received from the state to fund the positions. 

The Benton County commissioners have approved the addition of one, full-time Benton County District Court Judge, based on a weighted caseload analysis.

Summary of Bill:  The number of District Court judges in Benton County is increased from two to three.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S):

A new provision is added reducing the number of district court judges in Douglas County from two to one.  An emergency clause is added making the bill effective immediately.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested January 20, 1995.

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

Testimony For:  Benton County's request for another District Court judge is supported by the weighted caseload analysis and approved by the county legislative authority.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Judge Eugene Pratt, Benton County District Court (pro).

Votes on Final Passage:

Yeas 94; Excused 4

Excused:  Fuhrman, Quall, Robertson, Van Luven