Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Judiciary Committee

SSB 5395

Title:  An act relating to the administrator for the courts.

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to the administrator for the courts.

Sponsors:  By Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Long, Constantine and Kline; by request of Administrator for the Courts).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$Requires the Office of the Administrator for the Courts to provide technical support for court coordinating councils.

$Removes the requirement that the Administrator for the Courts not be over the age of 60 when appointed and the prohibition on the practice of law by the administrator and assistants.

Hearing Date:  3/27/01

Staff:  Edie Adams (786‑7180).

Background: 

The Administrator for the Courts (administrator) is charged with administering various aspects of the state court system, such as fostering court efficiency, training personnel, designing forms, developing standards, and controlling costs. The administrator is appointed by the Washington Supreme Court from a list of five persons submitted by the Governor.  Neither the administrator nor assistants may practice law during their tenure with the Office of the Administrator for the Courts.  In addition, the administrator may not be over the age of 60 when appointed.

The Project 2001 Committee was formed by the Board for Judicial Administration to pursue long-range court reform.  The committee recommended the creation of court coordinating councils in each county.  Court coordinating councils are to be composed of trial court judges, clerks, court administrators, lawyers, citizens, and other officials.  The councils are to work toward maximum utilization of judicial and other court resources by developing and implementing comprehensive trial court coordination plans.

Summary of Bill: 

The Office of the Administrator for the Courts is required to provide technical support for court coordinating councils under the direction of the Board for Judicial Administration.

The requirement that the administrator not be over the age of 60 when appointed is removed.  The prohibition on the practice of law by the administrator and assistants is also removed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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