(1) Any city, having established a municipal department as provided in this chapter may, by written notice to the county legislative authority not less than one year prior to February 1st of the year in which all district court judges are subject to election, require the termination of the municipal department created pursuant to this chapter. A city may terminate a municipal department only at the end of a four-year judicial term. However, the city may not give the written notice required by this section unless the city has reached an agreement with the county under chapter 39.34 RCW under which the county is to be paid a reasonable amount for costs associated with prosecution, adjudication, and sentencing in criminal cases filed in district court as a result of the termination. The agreement shall provide for periodic review and renewal of the terms of the agreement. If the municipality and the county are unable to agree on the terms for renewal of the agreement, they shall be deemed to have entered into an agreement to submit the issue to arbitration under chapter 7.04A RCW. Pending conclusion of the arbitration proceeding, the terms of the agreement shall remain in effect. The municipality and the county have the same rights and are subject to the same duties as other parties who have agreed to submit to arbitration under chapter 7.04A RCW.

     (2) A county that wishes to terminate a municipal department of the district court must provide written notice to the city legislative authority at least one year prior to the date of the intended termination.

[2005 c 433 § 33; 2001 c 68 § 2; 1984 c 258 § 210; 1961 c 299 § 49.]

NOTES:

     Application -- Captions not law -- Savings -- Effective date -- 2005 c 433: See RCW 7.04A.290 through 7.04A.310 and 7.04A.900.

     Court Improvement Act of 1984 -- Effective dates -- Severability -- Short title -- 1984 c 258: See notes following RCW 3.30.010.