HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 6402

BYSenate Committee on Law and Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Pullen, Moore, Bluechel, Newhouse, Bauer, DeJarnatt and Hansen)

Revising venue requirements in civil actions in district court.

House Committe on Judiciary

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (14)

      Signed by Representatives Armstrong, Chair; Crane, Vice Chair; Belcher, Brough, Hargrove, Lewis, Meyers, Moyer, Padden, Patrick, Schmidt, Scott, Wang and Wineberry.

House Staff:Harry Reinert (786-7110)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 2, 1988

BACKGROUND:

A civil action in district court must generally be brought in the district where the defendant resides.

SUMMARY:

If a defendant's residence is not determined after reasonable efforts, a civil action in district court may be brought in the district where the defendant's actual physical employment is located.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Ben Woods, SCA Credit; Bonita McCormick, Washington Collector's Association.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Some defendants will move around to avoid jurisdiction of a district court.  This bill will enable a plaintiff to file an action where the defendant works.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.