FINAL BILL REPORT
SB 5102
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. |
C 86 L 09
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Adding two district court judges in Benton county.
Sponsors: Senators Hewitt, Delvin and Kline; by request of Board For Judicial Administration.
Senate Committee on Judiciary
House Committee on Judiciary
Background: Under current law, Benton county is permitted to elect three district court judges. Pursuant to RCW 3.34.020(5)(a), "[c]hanges in the number of district court judges may only be made by the legislature in a year in which the quadrennial election for district court judges is not held." Furthermore, a request for additional district court judges must go through the Administrator for the Courts, under the supervision of the Supreme Court, which then conducts a workload analysis and makes a recommendation to the Legislature. The Administrator for the Courts has found, through its objective workload analysis, that the workload for Benton County District Courts increased by 43.6 percent from 2000 to 2007 – the caseload grew from 19,812 to 28,453. Therefore, the court seeks to increase the number of district court judge positions from three to five.
Summary: Five district court judges may be elected in Benton County.
Votes on Final Passage:
Senate | 49 | 0 | |
House | 92 | 2 |
Effective: July 26, 2009