BILL REQ. #:  S-1420.2 

Read first time 02/12/2003.   Referred to Committee on Judiciary.

     WHEREAS, The commission on judicial conduct works to protect the integrity of the judicial process and to promote public confidence in the courts; and
     WHEREAS, The public interest requires a fair and reasonable process to address judicial conduct and disability;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Senate of the State of Washington, the House of Representatives concurring, That a joint select committee on judicial conduct be established to review the conduct of investigations and hearings, the timeliness and scope of investigations and processes, the rules of evidence used during the hearings, and the application of judicial conduct rules to part-time judges and those from different courts; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the committee consist of the following members: One member from each of the two largest caucuses of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; and one member from each of the two largest caucuses of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The committee shall invite participation as full, voting members of the committee a justice of the Supreme Court or the court of appeals, recommended by the chief justice of the Supreme Court; a Superior Court judge, selected by the Superior Court judges' association; a district or municipal court judge, selected by the Washington state district and municipal court judges' association; and two lawyers admitted to practice in the state of Washington selected by the state bar association; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That staff support be provided by senate committee services judiciary committee staff; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the committee report its findings and conclusions to the legislature at the 2004 regular session.