HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2213

                       As Passed House

                      February 4, 1994

Title:  An act relating to courts of limited jurisdiction.

Brief Description:  Changing the Washington state magistrates' association.

Sponsors:  Representatives Eide, Padden, Appelwick and Wineberry.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Judiciary, January 26, 1994, DP;

  Passed House, February 4, 1994, 92-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 16 members:  Representatives Appelwick, Chair; Johanson, Vice Chair; Padden, Ranking Minority Member; Ballasiotes, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Chappell; Eide; Forner; J. Kohl; Long; Morris; H. Myers; Schmidt; Scott; Tate and Wineberry.

Staff:  Bill Perry (786-7123).

Background:  A statute establishes the "Washington State Magistrates' Association."  The statute includes within the association all judges of "courts of limited jurisdiction."  For most other purposes, the judges of courts of limited jurisdiction are referred to as "District Court" judges and "Municipal Court" judges.  On the other hand, another statute defines "magistrates" to include judges from all levels of the judiciary, including the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, the Superior Courts and the District Courts.  The designation "Magistrates' Association" therefore may inappropriately reflect the membership of the association.

Another statute specifies that the Magistrates' Association is to hold its annual meeting in August or September of each year.

Summary of Bill:  The name of the association of judges of courts of limited jurisdiction is changed from the "Magistrates' Association" to the "District and Municipal Court Judges' Association."

The association is authorized to establish the date for its annual meeting.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The bill removes confusion about the association's membership.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Judge Kip Stilz, District and Municipal Court Judges Association (pro).