FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 6562

                              C 186 L 90

BYSenators Craswell, Smitherman, Owen and Kreidler

Creating additional superior court positions in Kitsap and Thurston counties.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice and Committee on Ways & Means

House Committe on Judiciary

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

By statute, the state Legislature determines the number of superior court judges in each county.  Currently, Thurston County is authorized five judges and Kitsap County is authorized five 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 Kitsap County has a need for 6.75 superior court judicial positions and Thurston County a need for 7.15 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 Kitsap County is increased from five to seven and the number in Thurston County is increased to six.  One of the new positions for Kitsap County and the position for Thurston County are effective July 1, 1990.  The second position for Kitsap County takes effect no later than December 30, 1994.

The creation of the new positions is dependent on the county legislative authority accepting the responsibility of paying for the county's share of the costs of the positions.

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

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   45    0

     House 97  0 (House amended)

     Senate   48    0 (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:June 7, 1990