File #: 2016-0307    Version:
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
File created: 6/27/2016 In control: Law and Justice Committee
On agenda: Final action: 7/11/2016
Enactment date: 7/15/2016 Enactment #: 18317
Title: AN ORDINANCE establishing the protocol committee; adding a new chapter to K.C.C. Title 2A and repealing Ordinance 8936, Section 1.
Sponsors: Larry Gossett, Claudia Balducci
Indexes: Superior Court
Code sections: 2A - .
Attachments: 1. Ordinance 18317.pdf, 2. A. Protocol Committee Report to the King County Council - May 5, 2016, 3. 2016-0307 legislative review form.pdf, 4. A. Protocol Committee Report to the King County Council - May 5, 2016, 5. 2016-0307 transmittal letter.doc, 6. 2016-0307 fiscal note.xls, 7. 2016-0307_SR_protocol committee DRAFT.docx, 8. 2016-0307_ATT1_Proposed_Ordinance.pdf, 9. 2016-0307_Revised_SR_protocol committee.docx, 10. 2016-0307_AMDS1_protocol committee.docx, 11. 2016-0307_AMDT1 protocol committee.docx, 12. 2016-0307 REDLINE.doc
Staff: Cortes, Katherine
Drafter
Clerk 06/29/2016
Title
AN ORDINANCE establishing the protocol committee; adding a new chapter to K.C.C. Title 2A and repealing Ordinance 8936, Section 1.
Body
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
1. As authorized by Ordinance 8936 in 1989, the King County council, the executive and the superior court judges entered into an agreement ("the protocol agreement") establishing a process for assessing and meeting judicial and related staffing needs in superior court. The protocol agreement mandated development of a methodology for determining the need for future judicial positions.
2. Since 1989, the methodology used to evaluate judicial need has evolved, reflecting the improved depth of data available to superior court. The methodology, focusing on trends in pending caseload, age of pending cases and the use of pro tem judicial resources, has been modified twice, in 1998 and 2007, to further improve its effectiveness and accuracy.
3. The parties to the protocol agreement agree that public transparency would be improved by replacing the protocol agreement and establishing a framework, codified in King County Code, under which recommendations for future changes to the number of judges or commissioners needed in the superior court would be made to the legislative and executive branches.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Section 2 of this ordinance shall constitute a new chapter in K.C.C. Title 2A.
NEW SECTION. SECTION 2. A. A protocol committee is hereby established. The committee shall be composed of the following members:
1. One superior court judge, selected by that court, who shall be the chair of the committee;
2. One member of the council, selected by the council chair;
3. The executive or the executive's designee; and
4. One representative of the King County Bar Association, selected by that association.
B. The responsibilities of the protocol committee shall be to review and, as necessary, to revise the methodology...

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