FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5206

PARTIAL VETO

                                  C 323 L 87

BYSenate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senator Talmadge)

Authorizing additional superior court judges.

Senate Committee on Judiciary and Committee on Ways & Means

House Committe on Judiciary

Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

A Washington Superior Court Weighted Caseload Study was conducted in 1976 by the National Center for State Courts.  An update of the weighted caseload study was performed in 1985 and 1986.  The results of these studies have been used to help substantiate requests for additional judicial positions.  These results indicate that 55.8 judges are needed in King County at the present time and that 2.9 judges are necessary in Douglas and Chelan Counties jointly.

SUMMARY:

The maximum number of superior court judges in King County increases by 7 judges for a total of 46.  In the judicial districts of Douglas and Chelan Counties, the number of judges is increased by 1 to a total of 3.  The addition of the judicial positions is conditioned upon the documentation, by the legislative authority in each county, of its approval and agreement that the expenses of the judicial positions shall be borne by the counties, including the expenses incurred for court facilities.  The legislative authority for each county has the option of phasing in the additional judicial positions over a period of time, not to exceed January 1, 1990.

Under the supervision and direction of the Chief Justice, the Administrator for the Courts will examine the need for new superior court and district judge positions using a weighted caseload analysis which takes into account the time required and the amount of time available to hear all cases in a particular court.  The Board for Judicial Administration and the Judicial Council will review the results of the analysis and make recommendations to the Legislature by January 1, 1989.  The recommendations are to address the objective of the Legislature that weighted caseload analysis become the basis for creating additional district court positions.

A stenographic reporter is not required to be appointed for the seven additional superior court judges authorized for King County by this 1987 act.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    45     0

      House 97   0 (House amended)

      Senate    47     0 (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 26, 1987

Partial Veto Summary:  The requirement that the Administrator for the Courts examine the need for new superior court and district judge positions using a weighted caseload analysis is eliminated.  (See VETO MESSAGE)