SENATE BILL REPORT

 

 

                                   SSB 6439

 

 

BYSenate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Pullen and Talmadge)

 

 

Studying the consolidation of district and municipal courts.

 

 

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

 

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

 

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6439 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

 

      Senate Staff:Lidia Mori (786-7418)

                  March 3, 1988

 

 

House Committe on Judiciary

 

 

                      AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 15, 1988

 

BACKGROUND:

 

Two levels exist within the courts of limited jurisdiction which consist of municipal courts and district courts.  There is concern regarding the lack of consistency between these two levels and the degree of duplicity of limited jurisdiction court services such as jury management, probation and case management services.  Consolidation of municipal and district courts into a single-level court system has been suggested.

 

SUMMARY:

 

The Judicial Council will study the effect on the administration of justice of consolidating the district and municipal courts into a single-level court system.  The Judicial Council is directed to look at the extent to which duplication of services can be eliminated or reduced, the extent to which consistency can be achieved, the location and public accessibility of district courts and the number of judges and staff needed for consolidation.  In addition, the Judicial Council is directed to review the need for multi-county districts to achieve full-time courts, the state assumption or partial assumption of district court judicial salaries, the financial impact of consolidation on the state, counties, and municipalities and the distribution of revenue resulting from ordinance violations.  Finally, the Judicial Council will look at the authority for the appointment of judges, the role of city traffic violation bureaus, the impact on ancillary agencies and it will examine concurrent jurisdiction between district and superior courts.  The findings, recommendations and any proposed legislation will be reported to the Law and Justice Committee of the Senate and the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives by January 1, 1989.

 

Appropriation:    none

 

Revenue:    none

 

Fiscal Note:      requested February 17, 1988

 

Senate Committee - Testified: Judge James Heller; Judge Gary Utigard; Judge Don Eide; Judge Edward Allan; Justice Fred Dore

 

 

HOUSE AMENDMENTS:

 

The judicial council shall appoint a task force to study the effects on the administration of justice of consolidating the district and municipal courts into a single-level court of limited jurisdiction.

 

The task force will study the issues enumerated in the Senate bill.  The task force will consist of the following members:  two members of the Washington State Magistrates Association, one of whom is a district court judge and one of whom is a municipal court judge; two members appointed by the Washington Association of Counties; two members appointed by the Association of Washington Cities; one member appointed by the Washington Association of Municipal Attorneys; two members appointed by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, one of whom is a city police chief; and one member appointed by the Administrator For the Courts.

 

The findings, recommendations and proposed legislation of the judicial council shall be reported to the Law and Justice Committee of the Senate and the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives by September 30, 1989.