SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 6621

              As Passed Senate, February 10, 2000

Title:  An act relating to adult offender supervision.

Brief Description:  Creating a task force to study the interstate compact for adult offender supervision.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Costa, McCaslin, Kline, Long, Heavey, Haugen, Hargrove, Thibaudeau, Zarelli, Oke, Rasmussen and Kohl‑Welles).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  2/1/2000 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 2/10/2000, 45-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6621 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Costa, Vice Chair; Franklin, Kohl-Welles, Long, Patterson, Sheahan, Stevens and Zarelli.

Staff:  Fara Daun (786-7459)

Background:  Washington entered the current probation and parole compact about 60 years ago.  It has become outdated and ineffective in the supervision of offenders outside of Washington State.  There is concern that the quality of supervision by other states under the current compact is inconsistent and may present public safety risks.  The compact has recently been revised and has substantive differences from the old compact.

Summary of Bill:  A task force is created to study the new interstate compact for adult offenders to determine whether it is in the state's interest to adopt the compact.  The task force includes legislators, a judge, the Attorney General, the chief of the Washington State Patrol,  a prosecutor, a defender, corrections officials, a sheriff or police chief and two victim advocates, and must make recommendations to the Legislature by January 1, 2001.  The task force is staffed by Senate Committee Services and Office of Program Research staff.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 21, 2000.

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

Testimony For:  The new compact is much more complicated.   Assurance is needed that it meets the state's interest.  Detailed analysis of the impact of the new compact on Washington is needed.  Assurance is needed that the new compact will assure better communication.  The task force will provide this.  There may need to make some amendments to include the Governor's staff and DOC staff in the staffing requirement and to clarify the appointment language.  Would like to keep working as the bill goes through the process.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Dick Van Wagenen, Office of Financial Management (pro); Ann Fiala, DOC (pro).

House Amendment(s):  The House committee amendment requires that the defense attorney must be jointly selected by the Washington Defender Association and the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.  The floor amendment assigns the responsibility for staffing the task force to the Office of Financial Management.  Legislators may seek assistance from Senate Committee Services and the Office of Program Research.