Yakima officials, judges urge adding ninth superior-court judge to clear backlog
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Summary
Supporters told the House committee that Yakima County's Superior Court has 8 judges since 1998, a backlog of roughly 2,800 unresolved cases older than two years and rising filings; HB 2412 would add a ninth judge at an estimated $220,000 annually, split between state and county.
Supporters of House Bill 2412 told the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee the Yakima County Superior Court needs a ninth judge to address a substantial and growing backlog.
Representative Gloria Mendoza (14th District), the bill sponsor, said Yakima has operated with eight judges for nearly three decades while population and caseload complexity have increased. Mendoza cited data from the administrative office of the courts showing sharp rises in filings and said the county's commissioners support the proposal and have committed their share of the cost.
LaDon Linde, Yakima County commissioner, said the clearance rate has dropped below 1, leaving more cases arriving than the system can resolve and leaving roughly 2,800 cases older than two years. Presiding Judge Kevin Knott said the court handled about 10,000 filings in 2025 and resolved more than 1,000 civil protection-order cases in the first 11 months; he confirmed the courthouse has room for another courtroom.
Superior Court Administrator Jessica Humphries told the committee protection-order filings rose about 41% and that the added judicial position would provide meaningful capacity to reduce delays and improve access to justice. Committee members asked whether court facilities and staff resources would accommodate the new position; witnesses said local officials and judges have conducted footprint reviews and included the county's share in its 2026 budget.
No formal vote occurred during the hearing.