SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 6402

BYSenate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Pullen, Moore, Bluechel, Newhouse, Bauer, DeJarnatt and Hansen)

Revising venue requirements in civil actions in district court.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 28, 1988; January 29, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6402 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Pullen, Chairman; McCaslin, Vice Chairman; Hayner, Madsen, Nelson, Newhouse.

Senate Staff:Ben Barnes (786-7465)

                  January 29, 1988

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 13, 1988

BACKGROUND:

RCW 3.66.040 provides that a civil action against a defendant must be brought in the district where such person resides.  This requirement may be difficult to meet, however, where defendants refuse to provide a current address, work in a district other than where they reside, or continuously move in order to avoid suit.

SUMMARY:

RCW 3.66.040 is amended to provide that a defendant may be sued in the district where such person is employed if the residence of the defendant is not ascertained by reasonable efforts.

The phrase "place of employment" is clarified to mean place of actual, physical employment.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Ben Woods, Washington Collector's Association; Caroll Duval, Apartment Association of Seattle