FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1205

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Background:

The Washington Court of Appeals is a non-discretionary appellate court and therefore must hear all cases filed with the court. All appeals of superior court decisions, except those that may be appealed directly to the Supreme Court, are heard by the Court of Appeals. There are three divisions of the Court of Appeals, headquartered in Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane. Each of the three divisions is further divided into three geographic districts. Judges of the Court of Appeals are elected by district to six-year terms. They must be residents of the districts from which they are elected and must have been admitted to the practice of law in this state for at least five years.

Division II of the Court of Appeals is headquartered in Tacoma and has a total of seven judge positions, allocated as follows to the three districts:

three judges in District 1, which consists of Pierce County;
two judges in District 2, which consists of Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, and Thurston counties; and
two judges in District 3, which consists of Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Pacific, Skamania, and Wahkiakum counties.

Summary:

The number of judges authorized in Division II of the Court of Appeals is increased from seven to eight. The new judge position is allocated to District 2 of Division II, increasing the number of judge positions for District 2 to three.

The new judge position becomes effective only if the position is specifically funded and referenced by division and district in an omnibus state appropriations act.

Votes on Final Passage:

House	96	1
Senate	46	0