City of Seattle v. State

The State appeals a summary judgment ordering the State to reimburse plaintiffs Cities for the cost of electronic recording equipment installed in municipal courts.

The issue raised by this appeal is whether the State must reimburse cities under Initiative 62 (RCW 43.135) for the costs incurred by the cities in installing courtroom recording equipment. We hold that the State is not liable for the cost of the new equipment, and therefore reverse the summary judgment.

There is no dispute as to the facts on appeal. In 1980 this court adopted the Rules for Appeal of Decisions of Courts of Limited…