An effort to add a ninth Superior Court judge in Yakima County will soon become law, following Gov. Bob Ferguson’s signature Wednesday on Senate Bill 5868.
The legislation authorizes one additional Superior Court judge in both Yakima and Skagit counties. The bill passed the Legislature during the recently completed 2026 session with overwhelming bipartisan support, 48-1 in the Senate and unanimously in the House.
Rep. Gloria Mendoza, R-Grandview, who led the effort in the House, said the new law represents a critical step toward addressing mounting court backlogs and improving access to justice in Yakima County.
“This is an important step forward for Yakima County and the people who depend on timely access to justice,” said Mendoza. “Families, victims, and individuals navigating the court system should not have to wait months or even years for their cases to be resolved.”
Mendoza introduced House Bill 2412 at the start of the 2026 legislative session to add a ninth judge to the Yakima County Superior Court. The bill passed unanimously out of the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee.
When it became apparent that Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro Woolley, was advancing the Senate bill with strong support, Mendoza endorsed that measure as it moved forward.
She noted that provisions affecting the Yakima County judiciary and Skagit County aligned with her policy goals and supported the bill’s progress, helping ensure those regional priorities were addressed. Her support reflected a commitment to collaboration and effective legislative work within the House and Senate.
“I appreciate Senator Wagoner for introducing the bill in the other chamber and for helping carry this issue across the finish line,” Mendoza said. “I was very pleased to support and advocate for his bill when it came to the House. Yakima County has waited a long time for relief, and this was a team effort to get it done.”
Yakima County has operated with eight Superior Court judges since 1998, despite steady population growth and a sharp increase in the volume and complexity of cases. According to the Administrative Office of the Courts, the county is among the fastest-growing in Washington and has experienced significant increases in filings across multiple case types.
More than 2,800 cases in Yakima County are currently older than two years, including civil and criminal matters. Civil protection order filings alone have risen sharply in recent years, while eviction cases and involuntary commitment proceedings have also increased.
Local court officials say the growing backlog is delaying justice for victims, families, and defendants alike, sometimes leaving cases unresolved for months or longer.
“For a lot of these folks, it’s putting their life on hold,” Mendoza said. “Justice delayed is justice denied, and that’s exactly what Yakima County has been facing.”
Mendoza said the backlog also raises broader public safety concerns, particularly when courts are unable to meet statutory timelines.
“This becomes a public safety issue when cases can’t move forward quickly enough,” she said. “We need to make sure our courts have the capacity to do their job – to protect communities and ensure fairness for everyone involved.”
Yakima County officials, including Superior Court judges and county commissioners, have strongly supported adding another judge, noting the county could justify even more judicial positions but chose a measured approach given budget constraints.
The additional judgeship is expected to cost approximately $220,000 annually, with the state and Yakima County sharing the expense.
“Adding a ninth judge is a targeted, responsible solution that will reduce backlogs, improve public safety, and help ensure our courts function fairly and efficiently,” Mendoza said.
Senate Bill 5868 takes effect June 11.
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Washington State House Republicans