SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6513

BYSenators Nelson, Rinehart, Patrick and Talmadge; by request of Administrator for the Courts

Creating new judicial positions for the King county superior court.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 30, 1990; January 31, 1990

Majority Report:     That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6513 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill 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 5, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, JANUARY 31, 1990

BACKGROUND:

By statute, the state Legislature determines the number of superior court judges in each county.  Currently, King County is authorized 46 judges.

Periodically, the office of the Administrator for the Courts conducts a "weighted caseload" study of the superior courts in the counties.  The most recent study indicates King County has a need for 62.82 superior court judicial positions.  An estimate for January 1990-June 1990 shows a need for 63.5 positions.

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.

SUMMARY:

The number of superior court judges in King County is increased from 46 to 64.  The new positions take effect not later than December 30, 1994.

The creation of the new positions 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.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The number of authorized superior court positions for King County is increased from 46 to 51 positions.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    requested January 25, 1990

Senate Committee - Testified:   Judge Charles Johnson, King Co. Superior Court (pro); Gary Tomlinson, King Co. Superior Court (pro); Ron Main, King Co. Council/Executive (con)