Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Judiciary Committee

SB 6596

Title:  An act relating to the number of district court judges in Spokane county.

Brief Description:  Increasing the number of Spokane district court judges.

Sponsors:  Senators McCaslin, Brown, Long, Sheahan, Johnson, Kline, Roach and West.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Increases the number of district court judges in Spokane County from nine to 10.

Hearing Date:  2/28/02

Staff:  Bill Perry (786‑7123).

Background:

The number of elected district court judges in each county is set by statute, and the number of judges in any county may be increased only through a procedure also set out in statute.

Upon the recommendation of the supreme court, the Legislature may increase the number of judges in a county.  The recommendation of the supreme court is to be based on a weighted caseload analysis of the need for additional judges in a county.  The analysis is to take into account a variety of factors including how much time existing judges in the county currently have to hear cases and how much judicial time is needed for various kinds of cases.

The addition of a new district court judge position is conditional upon to the agreement by the county legislative authority to pay all costs associated with the creation of the new position.  A county may take up to two years to phase in new judicial positions created by the Legislature.

There are currently nine elected district court judges in Spokane County.

Summary of Bill:

An additional district court judge position is authorized for Spokane County, bringing the total number of district court judges in the county to 10.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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