Read first time 02/27/13.   Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

     AN ACT Relating to legal proceedings by the attorney general on behalf of superior court judges; amending RCW 43.10.030; and adding a new section to chapter 2.08 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 43.10.030 and 2009 c 549 s 5048 are each amended to read as follows:
     The attorney general shall:
     (1) Appear for and represent the state before the supreme court or the court of appeals in all cases in which the state is interested;
     (2) Institute and prosecute all actions and proceedings for, or for the use of the state, which may be necessary in the execution of the duties of any state officer. However, the attorney general shall not be required to institute or prosecute actions or proceedings on behalf of superior court judges unless requested to do so by the administrator for the courts under chapter 2.56 RCW. In such an action on behalf of superior court judges, one-half of the attorneys' fees and costs shall be borne by the administrator for the courts and one-half shall be borne by the attorney general;
     (3) Defend all actions and proceedings against any state officer or employee acting in his or her official capacity, in any of the courts of this state or the United States;
     (4) Consult with and advise the several prosecuting attorneys in matters relating to the duties of their office, and when the interests of the state require, he or she shall attend the trial of any person accused of a crime, and assist in the prosecution;
     (5) Consult with and advise the governor, members of the legislature, and other state officers, and when requested, give written opinions upon all constitutional or legal questions relating to the duties of such officers;
     (6) Prepare proper drafts of contracts and other instruments relating to subjects in which the state is interested;
     (7) Give written opinions, when requested by either branch of the legislature, or any committee thereof, upon constitutional or legal questions;
     (8) Enforce the proper application of funds appropriated for the public institutions of the state, and prosecute corporations for failure or refusal to make the reports required by law;
     (9) Keep in proper books a record of all cases prosecuted or defended by him or her, on behalf of the state or its officers, and of all proceedings had in relation thereto, and deliver the same to his or her successor in office;
     (10) Keep books in which he or she shall record all the official opinions given by him or her during his or her term of office, and deliver the same to his or her successor in office;
     (11) Pay into the state treasury all moneys received by him or her for the use of the state.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 2.08 RCW to read as follows:
     No legal action may be brought by a superior court judge or judges against the state or a county until ninety days have elapsed after the claim has been filed with the attorney general or county prosecuting attorney, as the case may be. For the period of one hundred twenty days following the filing of such a suit, the parties must engage in mediation or other form of alternative dispute resolution to resolve the suit.