SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 1027

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                   Judiciary, March 29, 1999

Title:  An act relating to expanding the membership of the criminal justice training commission.

Brief Description:  Expanding the membership of the criminal justice training commission.

Sponsors:  Representatives Scott, Huff, Lantz, Conway and McDonald; by request of Criminal Justice Training Commission.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Judiciary:  3/24/99, 3/29/99 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Heavey, Chair; Kline, Vice Chair; Costa, Goings, Hargrove, Haugen, Johnson, Long, McCaslin, Roach and Thibaudeau.

Staff:  Harry Steinmetz (786-7421)

Background:  The Criminal Justice Training Commission was created by statute in 1974.  The commission's primary purpose is to provide programs and standards for the training of criminal justice personnel.  Current membership, appointed by the Governor, consists of two incumbent sheriffs and two incumbent chiefs of police, one person, each from a county and a state correctional system, an incumbent county prosecuting attorney or municipal attorney, an elected local official of local government and a private citizen.  By statute, the Attorney General, the Special Agent in Charge of the Seattle office of the FBI, and the Chief of the State Patrol are members.

Summary of Bill:  Two additional members, appointed by the Governor, are created.  Each new member must be an officer at or below the level of first line supervisor.  One member must be from a county law enforcement agency and one must be from a municipal law enforcement agency.  Each appointee is required to have at least 10 years experience. Additionally, the language is made gender neutral and the number for a quorum and to call a meeting is increased by one.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Front line officers will increase the effectiveness of the CJTC.  This is a very good bill and it is certainly due.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Larry Erickson, WASCP; Mike Patrick, WACOPS.