SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2492

BYRepresentatives Appelwick, Van Luven, Ferguson, H. Sommers, Leonard, Crane, Miller, O'Brien, Cole, May, Anderson, Betrozoff, Wineberry and P. King 

Authorizing the appointment of district court judges as pro tempore judges in cities over 400,000 population.

House Committe on Judiciary

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 15, 1990; February 16, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Cliff Petersen (786-7457)

                  February 16, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, FEBRUARY 16, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The law allows for the appointment of temporary ("pro tem") judges to handle excess caseloads.  Various restrictions and qualifications apply to the appointment of pro tems.  A pro tem in Seattle municipal court must be, among other things, an attorney who resides in Seattle.

There has been an ongoing effort in King County to coordinate caseloads between county courts of limited jurisdiction ("district courts") and Seattle municipal court.  One of the measures that has been suggested is the use of district court judges as pro tems in municipal court.  However, unless a King County district court judge happens to be a resident of Seattle he or she cannot serve as a pro tem in Seattle municipal court.

SUMMARY:

A fulltime district court judge in a county with a city of over 400,000 population may serve as a pro tem judge in that city's municipal court, whether or not the judge resides in the city.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Judge Ronald Kessler, Seattle Municipal Court (pro)