SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1136

BYHouse Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives R. Meyers, Winsley, Wang, Ebersole, Pruitt, Walker, R. Fisher, Dorn, Tate and Walk)

Creating superior court judge positions in Pierce county.

House Committe on Judiciary

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 22, 1989; March 23, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Pullen, Chairman; Nelson, Newhouse, Niemi, Rasmussen, Talmadge.

Senate Staff:Cliff Petersen (786-7457)

                  March 24, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, MARCH 23, 1989

BACKGROUND:

By statute, the state Legislature determines the number of superior court judges in each county.  (Smaller counties may share judges jointly.)  Currently, Pierce County has 15 superior court judges. and Snohomish County has nine superior court judges.

Periodically, the Office of the Administrator for the Courts conducts a "weighted caseload" study of the superior courts in the state to determine if more judges are needed in a particular county.  Results of this study indicate that Pierce County had a need for 21.37 positions in 1987 and 26.31 in 1988.  The data for Snohomish County reveals a need for 13.73 positions in 1987 and 14.62 in 1988.

One half of the salary of a superior court judge is paid by the state, and the other half is paid by the county.  The employer's contribution to a judge's retirement benefits are also paid by the state.  All other costs associated with a judicial position, such as capital and support staff costs, are borne by the county.

While not required by law, historically because of administrative complications, health insurance benefits for superior court judges are paid entirely by the state.  In addition, some counties also provide health insurance coverage to superior court judges.  A survey by the Office of the Administrator for the Courts indicates 17 counties provide the same level of benefits to superior court judges as the rest of their county employees.  It is estimated that if county coverage was eliminated, approximately $216,000 would be saved each year by these counties.

A statute requires the hiring of a stenographic court reporter for each superior court judge.

SUMMARY:

The number of superior court judges in Pierce County is increased from 15 to 19.

The new positions are conditional upon their acceptance by the Pierce County legislative authority.  The legislative authority must also agree to pay, out of county funds, the county's share of the costs of the new positions.

The new judicial positions in Pierce County are exempt from the requirement that a court reporter be provided for each judge.

Three of the new positions take effect on January 1, 1990.  The fourth position takes effect not later than June 30, 1991.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENTS:

The striking amendment retains the original provisions regarding additional judges for Pierce County.

The number of superior court judges in Snohomish County is increased from nine to 11.  The two new judicial positions are exempt from the court reporter hiring requirement.

In order for the new positions to become effective, Snohomish County must agree to pay the county's share of the expense of the new positions.

One of the new positions takes effect July 1, 1990, and the other not later than June 30, 1991.

The authorization for King County to phase in the additional judicial positions created in 1987 is extended one year from January 1, 1990 to January 1, 1991.

Any county authorized by its board of commissioners to enter into contracts to provide health care services and/or group insurance benefits for its employees shall not include superior court judges.

Senate Committee - Testified: Judge Tom Swayze, Pierce County Superior Court (pro); Judge Joe Thibodeau, Snohomish County Superior Court (pro); Ralph Mackey, Snohomish County (pro)