CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT

HOUSE BILL 1601

Chapter 138, Laws of 2015

64th Legislature

2015 Regular Session

COUNTIES--PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTS--VENUE OF ACTIONS

EFFECTIVE DATE: 7/24/2015

HOUSE BILL 1601

Passed Legislature - 2015 Regular Session


State of Washington	64th Legislature	2015 Regular Session

By Representative Rodne

Read first time 01/23/15. Referred to Committee on Judiciary.

AN ACT Relating to venue of actions by or against counties; and amending RCW 36.01.050.

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

Sec. 1. RCW 36.01.050 and 2005 c 282 s 42 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) All actions against any county may be commenced in the superior court of such county, or in the superior court of either of the two nearest judicial districts. All actions by any county shall be commenced in the superior court of the county in which the defendant resides, or in either of the two judicial districts nearest to the county bringing the action.

(2) The determination of the nearest judicial districts is measured by the travel time between county seats using major surface routes, as determined by the administrative office of the courts.

(3) Any provision in a public works contract with any county that requires actions arising under the contract to be commenced in the superior court of the county is against public policy and the provision is void and unenforceable. This subsection shall not be construed to void any contract provision requiring a dispute arising under the contract to be submitted to arbitration.

Passed by the House March 3, 2015.

Passed by the Senate April 13, 2015.

Approved by the Governor April 29, 2015.

Filed in Office of Secretary of State April 29, 2015.

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