SB 5035-S - DIGEST

(SEE ALSO PROPOSED 2ND SUB)

     Provides that, in every county that has enacted a local option resolution pursuant to this act, the clerks of the district courts shall collect an additional filing fee of fourteen dollars upon the commencement or transfer of a civil action for which a filing fee is collected under this section.  Revenue collected under this section shall be deposited in the court improvement account created in this act, and is exempt from the percentage distribution remittance required in RCW 3.62.020(2).

     Makes various appropriations to carry out the purposes of the act.

     Directs the Washington state institute for public policy to conduct a study to determine:  (1) The extent that processes have been established and utilized in each county to collect outstanding fines, fees, and forfeitures imposed by the trial courts in such county;

     (2) whether the processes primarily use public employees or private contractors to collect such debt;

     (3) the effectiveness of each process; and

     (4) whether utilization of private collection agencies to collect such debt would result in greater benefit to the counties.  The study shall be completed and submitted to the legislature by January 1, 2000.

     Declares that jury service is the cornerstone of justice and it is the policy of this state to ensure that all eligible citizens fulfill this critical civic function.  No eligible prospective juror should be excused without just cause, but citizens who do serve as jurors should be fairly compensated for the compulsory service.