Zoutendyk v. Washington State Patrol

Dimmick, J. —

At issue is whether a state employee who seeks court review of an adverse decision by the Washington State Personnel Board (Board) is required to pay the costs of a transcript, either as a prerequisite to court review or as a taxable cost if he/she does not prevail on appeal. The consolidated cases of nine employees have been accepted by our court solely for the determination of that common issue.

In each case some disciplinary action was taken against a state employee by his/her employing agency. The employee appealed to the Board pursuant to RCW 41.06.170(2) and the Board…