The bill amends existing laws regarding the number of district court judges in Washington State, specifically RCW 3.34.010 and RCW 3.34.020. It establishes a minimum number of district judges to be elected in each county, detailing specific numbers for various counties. Additionally, the bill stipulates that any increase in the number of full and part-time district judges must be determined by the county legislative authority of the affected county based on recommendations from the supreme court, which will be informed by an objective workload analysis. Furthermore, the bill outlines the process for counties wishing to increase the number of judges, requiring them to request assistance from the supreme court and conduct a workload analysis. It also allows county legislative authorities to convert part-time district judge positions to full-time ones. The bill emphasizes that any approved increases in judges and associated costs can be funded by the county from specific moneys, ensuring that these expenses are not seen as a supplanting of existing funding.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 3.34.010, 3.34.020
Bill as Passed Legislature: 3.34.010, 3.34.020
Session Law: 3.34.010, 3.34.020