The bill amends RCW 36.23.070 regarding 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 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 written out. It also includes a provision that any exhibits deemed to have historical value may be delivered to libraries or historical societies by the clerk.

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