This bill amends an existing statute (RCW 2.08.063) to change the number of superior court judges in Yakima County from eight to nine. The statutory text listed in the bill also specifies the number of superior court judges for several other counties (Lincoln 1; Skagit 4; Walla Walla 2; Whitman 1; Yakima 9; Adams 1; Whatcom 5). The bill title describes the measure as adding an additional superior court judge in Yakima County. Legally, this is a modification of an existing law affecting the composition of the judiciary (a structural/procedural change to the number of judges), not a new crime or a change to penalties or court procedures. The change affects Yakima County Superior Court and relates to the superior courts in the other listed counties. The bill was introduced by Representatives Mendoza and Manjarrez, referred to the Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary, and read for the first time on 01/13/26 during the 2026 Regular Session. The text provided does not include an effective date, implementation timing, or any details about appointment or election procedures, funding, or salary for the additional judge; those matters are not specified in the extracted material.

If enacted, the bill increases the number of superior court judges in Yakima County from eight to nine, creating one additional judge position and changing the official judge counts in the statute. The most directly affected parties are the Yakima County Superior Court, its judges and staff, and people who bring cases there, because the court would have more judicial capacity and could redistribute caseloads among an extra judge. The text does not specify when the new position takes effect, how the seat would be filled, or who will pay for the judge’s salary, courtroom space, or support staff, so funding and implementation responsibility are unclear. That uncertainty means the county or state will likely need to decide and provide additional resources to operate the new judgeship, and timing, costs, and administrative arrangements remain open.