SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6492

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                Law & Justice, February 2, 1998

Title:  An act relating to superior court judges.

Brief Description:  Creating two new superior court positions for Yakima county.

Sponsors:  Senators Newhouse, Deccio, Johnson, Loveland and McCaslin; by request of Board for Judicial Administration.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Law & Justice:  2/2/98 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6492 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Johnson, Vice Chair; Fairley, Goings, Hargrove, Kline, Long, McCaslin, Stevens, Thibaudeau and Zarelli.

Staff:  Lidia Mori (786-7755)

Background:  RCW 2.08.063 authorizes six superior court judge positions in Yakima County.  The weighted caseload analysis performed by the Office of the Administrator for the Courts revealed Yakima County=s judicial caseload supports 13.8 judicial positions.  The Board of Yakima County Commissioners has requested that RCW 2.08.063 be amended to authorize eight superior court judges in Yakima County. 

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Eight judges of the superior court are authorized for the county of Yakima.  The bill takes effect immediately, but the actual starting dates for the two new positions may be established by the Yakima County commissioners upon the request of the superior court.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 30, 1998.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  Currently, 76 percent of the Yakima County budget goes to law and justice needs.  There is a very high crime rate in Yakima County.  There is wide support for the creation of two superior court judge positions.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Senator Alex Deccio; Teresa Doty, Yakima County Superior and District Court Administrator; Chuck Foster, Board for Judicial Administration.