HB 1954

Title: An act relating to compensation of a retired justice or judge acting as a judge pro tempore.

Brief Description: Permitting a retired judge acting as a judge pro tempore to decline compensation.

Sponsors: Representatives Moeller and McMahan.

Hearing Date: 2/27/03

Staff: Bill Perry (786-7123).

Background:

If no judge is available from among a county's elected superior court judges, a judge pro tempore may be assigned to a case. Pursuant to court rule, an elected judge from another court may serve as a judge pro tem. Otherwise, the parties to the case may, with court approval, agree to any member of the bar as a judge pro tem.

Pay for a judge pro tem is as follows:

•          A sitting judge who is acting as a judge pro tem receives no extra pay.

•          A member of the bar who is not a retired judge and who is acting as a judge pro tem receives 1/250th of a superior court judge's annual salary for each day of trial.

•          A retired judge who is acting as a judge pro tem receives 60% of 1/250th of a superior court judge's annual salary for each day of trial.

Summary of Bill:

A retired judge is authorized to decline compensation for serving as a judge pro tem in superior court.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 19, 2003.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.