OLYMPIA – Today, Governor Ferguson signed House Bill 1112, a bipartisan bill to reduce delays in Seattle Municipal Court by eliminating a city residency requirement for pro tempore judges.
Introduced by Rep. Darya Farivar (D-North Seattle), HB 1112 allows qualified attorneys from outside Seattle to serve as temporary judges, aligning Seattle’s requirements with those in other large cities in Washington. The change addresses growing backlogs in Seattle Municipal Court, where it has been difficult to find qualified pro tempore judges due to the outdated residency rule.
“This commonsense fix will reduce courtroom delays and improve access to justice,” said Representative Darya Farivar (D-Seattle), the bill’s prime sponsor. “It’s time our laws reflect the realities of our legal workforce.”
The bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. HB 1112 takes effect 90 days after session adjournment.