FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5001

                                  C 322 L 87

BYSenate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Talmadge and Halsan)

Revising the judicial council.

Senate Committee on Judiciary

House Committe on Judiciary

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

A main function of the Judicial Council is to coordinate the judiciary, the Legislature and the Bar Association with regards to administrative issues.  Some of its duties include reporting annually to the Governor and the Legislature with recommendations from the Council as to organizational changes in the judicial department, the courts or in judicial procedure.

It has been suggested that the efficacy of the Judicial Council has been diminished due in part to its cumbersome size.

SUMMARY:

The composition of the Judicial Council is changed from 37 members to 13 members.  Staff from the Administrator for the Courts will be available to assist the Council.

The duties of the Judicial Council are clarified such that it will receive recommendations from justices, judges, public officials, lawyers and the public to amend current law as to those amendments which affect the administration of justice.  In considering the recommendations, the Judicial Council will examine the common law and statutes of the state and relevant judicial decisions.  Changes in current law may be proposed by the Judicial Council as the changes affect the administration of justice.

RCW 43.131.308 is repealed by this act.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    48     0

      House 60  35 (House amended)

      Senate             (Senate refused to concur)

      House             (House refused to recede)

Conference Committee

      House 71  23

      Senate    44     0

EFFECTIVE:July 26, 1987