SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 1992
As Passed Senate, February 29, 2024
Title: An act relating to adding an additional superior court judge in Whatcom county.
Brief Description: Adding an additional superior court judge in Whatcom county.
Sponsors: Representatives Timmons, Lekanoff, Ramel, Fosse and Reeves; by request of Administrative Office of the Courts.
Brief History: Passed House: 2/9/24, 96-1.
Committee Activity: Law & Justice: 2/15/24 [DP].
Floor Activity: Passed Senate: 2/29/24, 49-0.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Increases the authorized number of superior court judges in Whatcom County from four to five.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Dhingra, Chair; Trudeau, Vice Chair; Padden, Ranking Member; Kuderer, McCune, Pedersen, Salomon, Torres, Valdez, Wagoner and Wilson, L..
Staff: William Bridges (786-7312)
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS
Staff: Tianyi Lan (786-7432)
Background:

The Legislature sets the number of superior court judges in each county. The Washington State Constitution provides that the state and the county share the cost for superior court judges. A superior court judge's benefits and one-half of the salary are paid by the state. The county pays one-half of the judge's salary.

The Board for Judicial Administration recommends the creation of new superior court judge positions based on workload analyses by the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Whatcom County is currently authorized four superior court judges, which was set in 2013.
Summary of Bill:

The authorized number of superior court judges in Whatcom County is increased from four to five.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

No public hearing was held.
Persons Testifying:

N/A
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying:

N/A