from Washington State court to federal dist. court

Without taking a lot of your time, could somone answer the following questions...

QUESTION 1:

Could you tell me what federal or Washington state court civil rule allows for an individual to take a state Superior Court decision, a decison that has been challenged in the state's higher court --- to federal district court?

Also,

If a new complaint is sought in federal court, based upon civil rights

violation, where would I look to find the rules that define the statute of limits timeline?

Your help is appreciated.

Thank you.

Lance