AN ACT Relating to superior court judges; amending RCW 2.08.062 and 2.08.065; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 2.08.062 and 2003 c 96 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

There shall be in the county of Chelan four judges of the superior court; in the county of Douglas one judge of the superior court; in the county of Clark ((ten))eleven judges of the superior court; in the county of Grays Harbor three judges of the superior court; in the county of Kitsap eight judges of the superior court; in the county of Kittitas two judges of the superior court; in the county of Lewis three judges of the superior court.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The additional judicial position created by section 1 of this act is effective only if Clark county through its duly constituted legislative authority documents its approval of the additional position and its agreement that it will pay out of county funds, without reimbursement from the state, the expenses of the additional judicial position as provided by state law or the state Constitution.

(2) The judicial position created by section 1 of this act is effective no earlier than the effective date of this section. The actual starting date for the position may be established by the Clark county legislative authority upon request of the superior court and by recommendation of the Clark county executive authority, if any.

Sec. 3. RCW 2.08.065 and 2014 c 169 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

There shall be in the county of Grant, three judges of the superior court; in the county of Okanogan, two judges of the superior court; in the county of Mason, three judges of the superior court; in the county of Thurston, eight judges of the superior court; in the counties of Pacific and Wahkiakum jointly, one judge of the superior court; in the counties of Ferry, Pend Oreille, and Stevens jointly, ((two))three judges of the superior court; in the county of San Juan, one judge of the superior court; and in the county of Island, two judges of the superior court.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) The additional judicial position created by section 3 of this act is effective only if Ferry, Pend Oreille, and Stevens counties, jointly through their duly constituted legislative authorities, document their approval of the additional position and their agreement that they will pay out of county funds, without reimbursement from the state, the expenses of the additional judicial position as provided by state law and the state Constitution.

(2) The judicial position created by section 3 of this act is effective no later than July 1, 2020. An earlier starting date for the position may be established by joint action of the duly constituted legislative authorities of Ferry, Pend Oreille, and Stevens counties, upon request of the superior court and by recommendation of the executive authorities of each of Ferry, Pend Oreille, and Stevens counties, if any.

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Passed by the Senate January 15, 2020 Yeas 48 Nays 0 President of the Senate Passed by the House March 5, 2020 Yeas 97 Nays 0 Speaker of the House of Representatives	CERTIFICATE I, Brad Hendrickson, Secretary of the Senate of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is ENGROSSED SENATE BILL 5450 as passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on the dates hereon set forth. Secretary Secretary
Approved	FILED
	Secretary of State State of Washington