SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2315

BYHouse Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives R. Meyers, Belcher, Vekich, Brumsickle, Zellinsky, Sayan, Fraser and Pruitt)

Creating additional superior court positions in Kitsap and Thurston counties.

House Committe on Judiciary

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 20, 1990; February 21, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Nelson, Chairman; McCaslin, Vice Chairman; Hayner, Madsen, Newhouse, Niemi, Patrick, Rasmussen, Rinehart, Talmadge, Thorsness.

Senate Staff:Cliff Petersen (786-7457)

                  February 21, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, FEBRUARY 21, 1990

BACKGROUND:

By statute, the state Legislature determines the number of superior court judges in each county.  Currently, Kitsap and Thurston Counties each has five judges.

Retirement system benefits and one half of the salary of a superior court judge are paid by the state.  The other half of the judge's salary and all other costs associated with a judicial position, such as capital and support staff costs, are borne by the county.  A statute also requires that the county hire a court reporter for each superior court judge.

Periodically, the office of the Administrator for the Courts conducts a "weighted caseload" study of the superior courts in the state to determine the relative need for additional judges in the counties.

SUMMARY:

The number of superior court judges in Kitsap County is increased from five to seven.  One of the new positions takes effect July 1, 1990, and the other not later than January 1, 1994.

The number of superior court judges in Thurston County is increased from five to six.  The new position takes effect July 1, 1990.

The creation of the new positions in each county is dependent upon the acceptance by the county legislative authority of the responsibility of paying for the county's share of the costs of the positions.

The new judicial positions are exempted from the requirement that a court reporter be hired for each judge.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Bob Freudenstein, Kitsap County Superior Court (pro); Judge Rick Strophy, Thurston County Superior Court (pro)