[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to changing the number of district court judges; and amending RCW 3.34.010 and 3.34.020.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 3.34.010 and 1998 c 64 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The number of district judges to be elected in each county shall be: Adams, two; Asotin, one; Benton, three; Chelan, two; Clallam, two; Clark, five; Columbia, one; Cowlitz, two; Douglas, one; Ferry, one; Franklin, one; Garfield, one; Grant, two; Grays Harbor, two; Island, one; Jefferson, one; King, not more than twenty-six; Kitsap, three; Kittitas, two; Klickitat, two; Lewis, two; Lincoln, one; Mason, one; Okanogan, two; Pacific, two; Pend Oreille, one; Pierce, eleven; San Juan, one; Skagit, two; Skamania, one; Snohomish, eight; Spokane, nine; Stevens, one; Thurston, two; Wahkiakum, one; Walla Walla, two; Whatcom, two; Whitman, one; Yakima, four. This number may be increased only as provided in RCW 3.34.020.

(2) Subject to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the legislative authority in King county shall determine the actual number of district court judges to be elected in the county.

Sec. 2. RCW 3.34.020 and 1997 c 41 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Any ((~~change~~)) increase in the maximum number of full and part-time district judges after January 1, 1992, shall be determined by the legislature after receiving a recommendation from the supreme court. The supreme court shall make its recommendations to the legislature based on a weighted caseload analysis that takes into account the following:

(a) The extent of time that existing judges have available to hear cases in that court;

(b) A measurement of the judicial time needed to process various types of cases;

(d) A determination of the amount of a judge's annual work time that can be devoted exclusively to processing cases; and

(e) An assessment of judicial resource needs, including annual case filings, and case weights and the judge year value determined under the weighted caseload method.

(2) The administrator for the courts, under the supervision of the supreme court, may consult with the board of judicial administration and the district and municipal court judge's association in developing the procedures and methods of applying the weighted caseload analysis.

(3) For each recommended ((~~change from~~)) increase in the number of full and part-time district judges in any county as of January 1, 1992, the administrator for the courts, under the supervision of the supreme court, shall complete a judicial impact note detailing any local or state cost associated with such recommended change.

(4) If the legislature approves an increase in the base number of district judges in any county as of January 1, 1992, such increase in the base number of district judges and all related costs may be paid for by the county from moneys provided under RCW 82.14.310, and any such costs shall be deemed to be expended for criminal justice purposes ((~~as provided in RCW 82.14.315~~)), and such expenses shall not constitute a supplanting of existing funding.

(5)(a) A county legislative authority that desires to ((~~change~~)) increase the maximum number of full or part-time district judges from the base number on January 1, 1992, must first request the assistance of the supreme court. The administrator for the courts, under the supervision of the supreme court, shall conduct a weighted caseload analysis and make a recommendation of its findings to the legislature for consideration as provided in this section.

(b) The legislative authority of any county may change a part-time district judge position to a full-time position.