SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSJR 8200

               As Passed Senate, March 17, 1999

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 History:

Committee Activity:  Judiciary:  1/27/99, 2/8/99 [DPS, DNPS].

Passed Senate, 3/17/99, 38-9.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Joint Resolution No. 8200 be substituted therefor, and the substitute joint resolution do pass.

  Signed by Senators Heavey, Chair; Kline, Vice Chair; Costa, Goings, Haugen, Long, McCaslin and Thibaudeau.

Minority Report:  Do not pass substitute.

  Signed by Senator Roach.

Staff:  Dick Armstrong (786-7460)

Background:  Article IV, Section 17 of the Washington Constitution provides that a person cannot be a judge of the Supreme Court or of the superior court unless the person is admitted to the practice of law in this state.  In addition, various state statutes require a person to be an attorney in this state to be a judge of the Court of Appeals, district court, or municipal court.  Cities and counties with less than 5,000 population may have a non-lawyer serve as a judge if the person has passed a qualifying exam prescribed by rule of the Supreme Court.

Summary of Bill:  The state Constitution is amended to provide that a person cannot hold the office of superior court judge unless he or she has been admitted to the practice of law for not less than five years.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Upon approval by the voters at the next general election.

Testimony For:  Not applicable, given the difference between the original bill and the substitute.

Testimony Against:  Not applicable, given the difference between the original bill and the substitute.

Testified:  Not applicable, given the difference between the original bill and the substitute.