FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 6511

C 137 L 02

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Authorizing any sitting elected judge to be a judge pro tempore.

Sponsors:  Senators Johnson, Kline, Costa and Winsley; by request of Administrator for the Courts.

Senate Committee on Judiciary

House Committee on Judiciary

Background:  In November 2001, the voters of this state approved an amendment to the State Constitution (ESJR 8208) governing the use of judges pro tempore in superior court.  The amendment provides that, in addition to those persons currently authorized to be a judge pro tempore in superior court, any sitting elected judge may serve as a judge pro tempore in superior court without the approval of the litigants, as provided by Supreme Court rule.  The rule must take into consideration assignments of judges pro tempore based on the experience of such judges and provide for the right, exercisable once during the case, to a change of a judge pro tempore.

The Supreme Court has adopted Superior Court Administrative Rule 6 relating to the use of elected judges pro tempore.  However, the state statute governing judges pro tempore in superior court has not been amended in a manner consistent with the State Constitution.

Summary:  Any sitting elected judge of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, district or municipal court may serve as a judge pro tempore in superior court, as provided by Supreme Court rule.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate450

House930

Effective:  June 13, 2002