HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESB 5149

BYSenators Conner, DeJarnatt, Tanner, Owen, Newhouse and von Reichbauer; by request of Office of the Administrator for the Courts

Authorizing the court of appeals to hold sessions in certain additional cities.

House Committe on Judiciary

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (14)

      Signed by Representatives Armstrong, Chair; Crane, Vice Chair; Appelwick, Hargrove, Heavey, Locke, Moyer, Niemi, Padden, Patrick, Schmidt, Scott, Wang and Wineberry.

House Staff:Charlie Gavigan (786-7340)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 2, 1987

BACKGROUND:

There are three districts for the Court of Appeals in Washington centered in Seattle, Spokane, and Tacoma.  The Court of Appeals currently holds sessions by statute in Seattle, Everett, Bellingham, Tacoma, Vancouver, Spokane, Yakima, Richland, Wenatchee and Walla Walla.  For reasons of public convenience and education, it has been suggested that the Court of Appeals hold sessions in additional cities.

SUMMARY:

The Court of Appeals is given the authority to hold sessions in any city they designate by court rule.

Fiscal Note:      Attached.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Mike Redman, Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Allowing the court to hold sessions in more cities brings the court closer to the people.  Attorneys and clients from smaller cities will not always have to travel, and a greater portion of the public will be able to observe the appellate process.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.