The bill amends RCW 36.23.070, which governs the retention and disposal of court exhibits by county clerks. It allows a county clerk to apply to the superior court for an order to dispose of exhibits more than five years after the entry of final judgment, reducing the previous time frame from six years. Upon receiving the court's authorization, the clerk can turn exhibits of possible value over to the sheriff for disposal according to chapter 63.40 RCW and destroy other exhibits, unopened depositions, and reporters' notes filed in the case.

Additionally, the bill specifies that reporters' notes in criminal cases must be preserved for at least 15 years, a change from the previous requirement of "fifteen" years. It also includes a provision that allows exhibits deemed to have historical value to be delivered to libraries or historical societies. This legislation aims to streamline the process of managing court exhibits while ensuring the preservation of important historical materials.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 36.23.070
Bill as Passed Legislature: 36.23.070
Session Law: 36.23.070