HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                 SSJR 8200

Brief Description:  Requiring superior court judges to be admitted to the practice of law for a minimum of five years.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators McCaslin and Roach).

                    Brief Summary of Bill

CRequires at least five years' membership in the state bar before a person is eligible to become a superior court judge.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Staff:  Bill Perry (786-7123).

Background:

The state constitution provides that in order to be eligible to be a judge of the supreme court or the superior court, a person must have been admitted to the practice of law.  There is no requirement that the person have any particular amount of experience as a lawyer before he or she may become a judge.

Summary of Bill:

The constitution is amended to require that a person must have been admitted to the practice of law for at least five years before he or she is eligible to become a superior court judge.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Upon voter approval at the next general election.

                 Office of Program Research