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HB 2213

Concerning defects and omissions in the laws that have been identified by the justices of the supreme court or judges of the superior courts pursuant to Article IV, section 25 of the state Constitution.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Greg Cheney and 3 co-sponsors

HB 2213 establishes formal process for state courts to identify and recommend fixes for legal defects and omissions to the legislature for correction.

Effective date 6/6/2024.
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Bill Summary · HB 2213

Legislative bill overview

HB 2213 addresses legal defects and omissions identified by Washington's Supreme Court justices and Superior Court judges under Article IV, Section 25 of the state Constitution. The bill formally codifies a process for identifying and remedying gaps or inconsistencies in existing state law that judicial officers have flagged through their work on the bench.

Why is this important

This bill provides a systematic mechanism to fix legislative oversights and legal ambiguities that courts encounter during actual case proceedings. By creating an official pathway to address judicial concerns about statutory defects, the legislature can proactively prevent future litigation and clarify intent in existing laws.

Potential points of contention

  • Judicial vs. legislative authority: Critics may argue this grants judges excessive influence over legislation by allowing them to essentially propose or dictate legislative corrections
  • Vagueness of "defects and omissions": Without clear definitions, determining what qualifies as a defect versus a reasonable interpretive question could lead to disputes
  • Implementation burden: The process for collecting, evaluating, and acting on judicial feedback lacks detail, potentially creating administrative confusion or bottlenecks in addressing identified issues

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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