SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6291

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Judiciary, February 5, 2002

Title:  An act relating to residency requirements of part‑time judges.

Brief Description:  Revising residency requirements of part‑time judges.

Sponsors:  Senators Kline and Johnson.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Judiciary:  1/28/02, 2/5/02 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Kastama, Vice Chair; Costa, Johnson, Long, McCaslin, Poulsen and Thibaudeau.

Staff:  Lisa Ellis (786‑7421)

Background:  In cities and towns with populations of 400,000 or less, municipal court judges must be residents of the county in which the municipal court was created.  Part‑time appointed municipal court judges who do not appoint a court commissioner are exempt from this residency requirement.

The District and Municipal Court Judges' Association recommends revising the residency requirements in order to provide a uniform requirement for part‑time municipal court judges.

Summary of Bill:  If a city or town has a population of 400,000 or less, all municipal court judges, including part-time appointed municipal court judges who do not appoint a court commissioner, must be residents of the county where the court is located.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The current inconsistency in the residency requirements for part‑time judges should be eliminated.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Doug Haake, Administrative Office of the Courts.