Inslee signs bill to add Clark County Superior Court judge

Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill into law Wednesday that increases the number of Clark County Superior Court judges from 10 to 11.

Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, sponsored Senate Bill 5450. Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, signed on as a co-sponsor.

The Senate and House both unanimously approved the legislation.

The number of Superior Court judges in each county is set by statute. The Legislature must approve any change after receiving a recommendation from the Board for Judicial Administration, which bases its recommendation on an objective workload analysis.

SB 5450 also increased the number of Superior Court judges who serve three counties –Ferry, Pend Oreille and Stevens — from two to three.

A Superior Court judge’s benefits and one-half of the judge’s salary are paid by the state; the remaining half is paid by the county.

The Clark County Council must approve the position and agree to pay half of the new judge’s salary before the position is officially added.