FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1292

C 96 L 03

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Authorizing additional superior court judicial positions.

Sponsors: By Representatives Rockefeller, Delvin, Grant, Moeller, Hankins, Hinkle, Mastin, Eickmeyer, Orcutt, Wallace, Fromhold, Haigh, Holmquist, McMahan and Woods; by request of Administrative Office of the Courts.

House Committee on Judiciary

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Judiciary

Background:

The Legislature sets by statute the number of superior court judges in each county. The Administrative Office of the Courts periodically performs an objective workload analysis to determine the need for additional judicial positions in the various counties.

Clark County has eight statutorily authorized judges. The objective workload analysis indicates a need for an additional three judicial officers in the county.

Kitsap County has seven statutorily authorized judges. The objective workload analysis indicates a need for one additional judicial officer in the county.

Kittitas County has one statutorily authorized judge. The objective workload analysis indicates a need for .2 additional judicial officers in the county.

Benton/Franklin County jointly has five statutorily authorized judges. The objective workload analysis indicates a need for 1.4 additional judicial officers in the county.

Retirement benefits and one-half of the salary of a superior court judge are paid by the state. The other half of the judge's salary and all other costs associated with a judicial position, such as capital and support staff costs, are borne by the county.

Summary:

Superior court judicial positions are increased in several counties as follows:

            •    Clark County - from eight to 10;

            •    Kitsap County - from seven to eight;

            •    Kittitas County - from one to two; and

            •    Benton/Franklin County - from five to six.

Various effective dates for each of the new judicial positions are provided, but the actual starting date for a position may be established by the county's legislative authority upon request of the superior court and recommendation of the county executive authority.

The judicial positions are effective only if the county legislative authority of each county documents its approval and agrees to pay for the county's share of the expenses of the new positions.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 92  1

Senate 47  0

Effective: July 27, 2003