Z-254                 _______________________________________________

                                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 189

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives Sayan, Vekich, Hargrove, Fisch, B. Williams, Sprenkle, Heavey, P. King and L. Smith

Read first time 1/20/87 and referred to Committee on Judiciary.

AN ACT Relating to the court of appeals; and amending RCW 2.06.040.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

        Sec. 1.  Section 4, chapter 221, Laws of 1969 ex. sess. as last amended by section 91, chapter 258, Laws of 1984 and RCW 2.06.040 are each amended to read as follows:

          The court shall sit in panels of three judges and decisions shall be rendered by not less than a majority of the panel.  In the determination of causes all decisions of the court shall be given in writing and the grounds of the decisions shall be stated.  All decisions of the court having precedential value shall be published as opinions of the court.  Each panel shall determine whether a decision of the court has sufficient precedential value to be published as an opinion of the court.  Decisions determined not to have precedential value shall not be published.  Panels in the first division shall be comprised of such judges as the chief judge thereof shall from time to time direct.  Judges of the respective divisions may sit in other divisions and causes may be transferred between divisions, as directed by written order of the chief justice.  The court may hold sessions in such of the following cities as may be designated by rule:  Seattle, Everett, Bellingham, Tacoma, Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Kelso, Montesano, Vancouver, Spokane, Yakima, Richland, Wenatchee, and Walla Walla.

          No judge of the court shall be entitled to per diem or mileage for services performed at either his legal residence or the headquarters of the division of the court of which he is a member.

          The court may establish rules supplementary to and not in conflict with rules of the supreme court.