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Task force on court unification proposed to study court structure, funding and access
Summary
Representative Jamila Taylor proposed a 34‑member Court Unification Task Force (House Bill 1909) to analyze Washington’s non‑unified court system and recommend structural options, funding models, and operational improvements. The bill would create subcommittees, allow staff or contracted experts within appropriations, and require a final repo
Representative Jamila Taylor (D‑30th) introduced House Bill 1909 on Feb. 12, which would create a 34‑member Court Unification Task Force to conduct a comprehensive review of Washington’s court structure, rules, funding and technology and to submit recommendations by June 30, 2027.
"It's long overdue that we had this conversation around common challenges, technology, even recently in terms of our JIS system going down," Representative Jamila Taylor said, explaining the bill's intent to collect stakeholder input and develop specific solutions to harmonize court policies and improve access to justice.
Staff summarized that Washington does not currently have a unified court system; state funding and rulemaking authority are split among court levels and local jurisdictions. The proposed task force would include legislative, executive and judicial representatives, local government and tribal representatives, civil legal aid, prosecutors, public defenders, and people with relevant lived experience. The task force may form subcommittees on IT, court capacity and funding, and small/rural courts and could hire staff or contract for professional assistance consistent with appropriations.
Support came from the Administrative Office of the Courts (board for judicial administration) and access‑to‑justice advocates. Britney Gregory of the AOC said the board appreciates the bill and is prepared to engage. Esperanza Burbo, chair of Access to Justice groups, said a task force could help reduce inconsistent local rules that create barriers for unrepresented litigants.
Committee members asked questions about membership balance and prior efforts to study court unification; Representative Taylor said multiple stakeholders have raised the issue and identified inconsistent rules and customer‑service problems as persistent barriers to access.
Ending: The bill was heard with supportive testimony from court administrators and access‑to‑justice advocates; it requires further work, member appointments and funding to proceed toward the report deadline in 2027.
