SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2808

BYRepresentatives H. Myers and Appelwick

Changing the requirements for appointing court commissioners.

House Committe on Judiciary

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

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

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Cliff Petersen (786-7457)

                  February 21, 1990

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

BACKGROUND:

The state Constitution authorizes up to three superior court commissioners in each county.  Court commissioners are appointed by the elected judges, and may perform most of the functions of judges, although commissioners' decisions are "subject to revision" by a judge.

A statute requires that a commissioner must be a citizen of the United States, and a resident in the county of the court to which he or she is to be appointed.

In at least one smaller county, the judges of the superior court have had difficulty in finding a qualified person within the county to serve as a commissioner.

SUMMARY:

The residency requirement for superior court commissioners is removed.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Rep. Holly Myers (pro); Bill Harrington, Father's Rights Organization (con)