SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5624

As of March 12, 2003

Title: An act relating to salaries of district court judges.

Brief Description: Making the county legislative authority responsible for setting district court judges' salaries.

Sponsors: Senators Morton and McCaslin.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Judiciary: 2/13/03.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Staff: Lidia Mori (786-7755)

Background: In 1986, the Washington State Legislature passed legislation which created a citizens' commission on salaries for elected officials. The Legislature declared it to be the policy of the state to base salaries of elected state officials on realistic standards in order that such officials may be paid according to the duties of their offices and citizens of the highest quality may be attracted to public service. The intent was also to remove political considerations in fixing the appropriateness of the amount of such salaries. Washington voters approved and ratified, at a general election in November 1986, an amendment to Article XXVIII of the state Constitution establishing an exclusive process for changes to the salaries of members of the Legislature and other elected state officials. Currently, the Washington citizens' commission on salaries for elected officials establishes the annual salary of each full-time and part-time district court judge.

Summary of Bill: In counties with a population of less than 25,000, the annual salary of each full-time and part-time judge is determined by the county legislative authority.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2004, if the proposed amendment to Article XXVIII, section 1 of the state Constitution is approved and ratified by the voters at the next general election.