Brief Description: Concerning mandatory arbitration.

Sponsors: Senators Kline, McCaslin, Rockefeller, Esser, Thibaudeau, Weinstein, Rasmussen and Eide.

Senate Committee on Judiciary
House Committee on Judiciary

Background: Arbitration is mandatory in counties that have a population of over 150,000 in civil actions where the sole relief sought is a money judgment of up to $35,000. Courts or the legislative authority in smaller counties may also authorize mandatory arbitration of civil actions. These rules apply to superior court actions, except for appeals from municipal or district courts. Mandatory arbitration is subject to appeal by a trial de novo.

Eleven counties (Benton, Clark, King, Kitsap, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, Whatcom, and Yakima) have a current population of over 100,000. The remaining 28 counties have current populations of less than 100,000.

Summary: The minimum population a county may have before mandatory arbitration is required is lowered from 150,000 to 100,000. The monetary threshold for mandatory arbitration is raised from $35,000 to $50,000. The monetary threshold changes apply only to cases in which the notice of arbitrability is filed on or after the date of the act.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      32   16
House    86   10   (House amended)
Senate      28   13   (Senate concurred)

Effective: July 24, 2005