S-3467               _______________________________________________

                                         SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 136

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1986 Regular Session

By Senators Talmadge and Metcalf

Read first time 1/16/86 and referred to Committee on Judiciary.

BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, IN LEGISLATIVE SESSION ASSEMBLED:

          THAT, At the next general election to be held in this state there shall be submitted to the qualified voters of the state for their approval and ratification, or rejection, an amendment to Article IV, section 31 of the Constitution of the state of Washington to read as follows:

Article IV, section 31.          There shall be a judicial qualifications commission consisting of a judge selected by and from the court of appeals judges, a judge selected by and from the superior court judges, a judge selected by and from the district court judges, two persons admitted to the practice of law in this state selected by the state bar association, and ((two)) four persons who are not attorneys appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate.

          The supreme court may censure, suspend, or remove a judge or justice for violating a rule of judicial conduct and may retire a judge or justice for disability which is permanent or is likely to become permanent and which seriously interferes with the performance of judicial duties.  The office of a judge or justice retired or removed by the supreme court becomes vacant, and that person is ineligible for judicial office until eligibility is reinstated by the supreme court.  The salary of a removed judge or justice shall cease.

          The supreme court shall specify the effect upon salary when disciplinary action other than removal is taken.  The supreme court may not discipline or retire a judge or justice until the judicial qualifications commission recommends after notice and hearing that action be taken and the supreme court conducts a hearing, after notice, to review commission proceedings and findings against a judge or justice.

          The legislature shall provide for commissioners' terms of office and compensation.  The commission shall establish rules of procedure for commission proceedings including due process and confidentiality of proceedings.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the secretary of state shall cause notice of the foregoing constitutional amendment to be published at least four times during the four weeks next preceding the election in every legal newspaper in the state.