SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6562

BYSenators Craswell, Smitherman, Owen and Kreidler

Creating additional superior court positions in Kitsap and Thurston counties.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 30, 1990; January 31, 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 1, 1990

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 5, 1990; February 6, 1990

Majority Report:     Do pass.

     Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Bailey, Bluechel, Cantu, Hayner, Johnson, Lee, Newhouse, Niemi, Smith, Talmadge, Williams, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Mary Poole (786-7613)

                March 2, 1990

House Committe on Judiciary

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 9, 1990

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 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.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    available

Senate Committee - Testified:   LAW & JUSTICE:  Senator Craswell (pro); Judge Karen Conoley, Kitsap Co. Superior Court (pro); Bob Freudenstein, Kitsap Co. Clerk (pro); Judge Richard Strophy, Thurston Co. Superior Court (pro); George Darkenwald, Thurston Co. Bar Assocation (pro)

HOUSE AMENDMENT:

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