BP BHEAD INT S

AN ACT Relating to courts of limited jurisdiction; and amending RCW 2.52.010, 3.38.010, 3.70.010, 3.70.020, 3.70.040, 10.04.800, and 12.40.800.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 2.52.010 and 1987 c 322 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

There is hereby established a judicial council which shall consist of the following:

(1) The chief justice of the supreme court;

(2) One judge of the court of appeals, to be selected and appointed by the three chief judges of the three divisions thereof;

(3) One judge of the superior court, to be selected and appointed by the superior court judges' association;

(4) Two members of the state senate who shall not be members of the same political party; two members of the state house of representatives who shall not be members of the same political party;

(5) Four members of the bar who are practicing law, one of whom shall be either a public defender or a legal services attorney, and at least one of whom is a prosecuting attorney, with the public defender or legal services attorney, and two to be appointed by the board of governors of the Washington state bar association from a list of nominees submitted by the legislative committee of the Washington state bar association;

(7) The attorney general; and

(8) One judge from the courts of limited jurisdiction chosen by the Washington state ((~~magistrates'~~)) district and municipal court judges' association.

Sec. 2. RCW 3.38.010 and 1984 c 258 s 22 are each amended to read as follows:

There is established in each county a district court districting committee composed of the following:

(1) The judge of the superior court, or, if there be more than one such judge, then one of the judges selected by that court;

(2) The prosecuting attorney, or a deputy selected by the prosecuting attorney;

(3) A practicing lawyer of the county selected by the president of the largest local bar association, if there be one, and if not, then by the county legislative authority;

(4) A judge of a court of limited jurisdiction in the county selected by the president of the Washington state ((~~magistrates'~~)) district and municipal court judges' association; and

(5) The mayor, or representative appointed by the mayor, of each first, second, and third class city of the county;

(6) One person to represent the fourth class cities of the county, if any, to be designated by the president of the association of Washington cities: PROVIDED, That if there should be neither a first class nor a second class city within the county, the mayor, or the mayor's representative, of each fourth class city shall be a member;

(7) The chairman of the county legislative authority; and

(8) The county auditor.

Sec. 3. RCW 3.70.010 and 1987 c 3 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

There is established in the state an association, to be known as the Washington state ((~~magistrates'~~)) district and municipal court judges' association, membership in which shall include all duly elected or appointed and qualified judges of courts of limited jurisdiction, including but not limited to district judges and municipal court judges.

Sec. 4. RCW 3.70.020 and 1984 c 258 s 51 are each amended to read as follows:

((The first meeting of the Washington state magistrates' association shall be held at the next regular meeting of the present organization after June 7, 1961 to be held during the month of August or September, 1961, at which meeting those judges of courts of limited jurisdiction, as provided in RCW 3.70.010, attending shall temporarily organize themselves for the purpose of adopting a Constitution and bylaws and)) Members of the Washington state district and municipal court judges' association may either ((~~adopt or~~)) amend the present ((~~Constitution and~~)) bylaws of the ((~~Washington state magistrates'~~)) association, adopt a constitution, or provide for bylaws only, electing officers as provided therein and doing all things necessary and proper to formally establish a permanent Washington state ((~~magistrates'~~)) district and municipal court judges' association((~~, after which meeting~~)). The association may meet each year ((~~during the month of August or September, beginning in 1962~~)) at a time established by the association's governing board. Meetings shall be held in the state of Washington.

Sec. 5. RCW 3.70.040 and 1984 c 258 s 53 are each amended to read as follows:

The Washington state ((~~magistrates'~~)) district and municipal court judges' association shall:

(1) Continuously survey and study the operation of the courts served by its membership, the volume and condition of business of such courts, the methods of procedure therein, the work accomplished, and the character of the results;

(2) Promulgate suggested rules for the administration of the courts of limited jurisdiction not inconsistent with the law or rules of the supreme court relating to such courts;

(3) Report annually to the supreme court as well as the governor and the legislature on the condition of business in the courts of limited jurisdiction, including the association's recommendations as to needed changes in the organization, operation, judicial procedure, and laws or statutes implemented or enforced in these courts.

Sec. 6. RCW 10.04.800 and 1987 c 202 s 155 are each amended to read as follows:

The ((~~magistrates'~~)) district and municipal court judges' association may propose to the supreme court suggested forms for criminal actions for inclusion in the justice court criminal rules.

Sec. 7. RCW 12.40.800 and 1988 c 85 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

The administrator for the courts and the ((~~magistrates~~)) district and municipal court judges' association shall prepare a model small claims informational brochure and distribute the model brochure to all small claims departments in the state. This brochure may be modified as necessary by each small claims department and shall be made available to all parties in any small claims action.