SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5040

                As Passed Senate, March 7, 1995

Title:  An act relating to district court districting committee.

Brief Description:  Prescribing the selection process for district court districting committees.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Government Operations (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen and Winsley).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  1/17/95, 1/19/95 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 3/7/95, 49-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5040 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

  Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Sheldon, Vice Chair; Drew, Hale, Heavey, McCaslin and Winsley.

Staff:  Rod McAulay (786-7754)

Background:  Counties operate district courts which, together with municipal courts, serve as courts of limited jurisdiction.  These courts may conduct trials for misdemeanors, traffic offenses, "small claims," and other civil claims of limited monetary value.  When population and workload require, counties may establish two or more geographical districts for district courts.  The establishment and revision of these district boundaries is done by a districting committee composed of one superior court judge, the prosecuting attorney or deputy, a practicing lawyer, a judge of a court of limited jurisdiction, the mayors or their representatives from each city with a population of 3,000 or more.  If there is a city in the county with a population of 10,000 or more, a person is selected by the president of the Association of Washington Cities to represent all cities and towns with a population of less than 3,000.  If there is no city in the county with a population of 10,000 or more, the mayors or their representatives from each city and town, regardless of population, shall be a member of the committee.

In those cases where a districting committee is to be formed in a county which has a city with a population of 10,000 or more, the president of the Association of Washington Cities may not be sufficiently informed or may have personal conflicts which make it inappropriate for her or him to make this appointment.

Summary of Bill:  When forming a county district court redistricting committee in a county in which there is a city with a population of 10,000 or more, a representative of cities and towns with populations of less than 3,000 must be selected by a majority vote of the mayors of the cities and towns.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The President of the AWC may be neither familiar with the circumstances nor available to participate in a local court redistricting process and should not serve on a redistricting committee.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Jim Justin, AWC (pro).