1926 AMH CARR GREE 23

HB 1926 - H AMD 0230 ADOPTED 3-18-03

By Representative Carrell

Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 7.70 RCW to read as follows:

In any action under this chapter, each side shall presumptively be entitled to only one independent expert on an issue and only one standard-of-care expert, except upon a showing of good cause. Where there are multiple parties on a side and the parties cannot agree as to which independent expert or standard-of-care expert will be called on an issue, the court, upon a showing of good cause, shall allow more than one independent expert on an issue or standard-of-care expert to be called."

EFFECT: Revises the requirements in the event that multiple parties on a side cannot agree to one expert by (1) eliminating the requirement that the court designate the expert to be called, and (2)requiring (as opposed to permitting) the court to allow more than one independent expert on an issue upon a showing of good cause.