FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 6338

C 122 L 04

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Creating an affirmative defense from theft and possession of stolen merchandise pallets.

Sponsors: Senators Johnson and Kline.

Senate Committee on Judiciary

House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections

Background: There are businesses in Washington that repair or recycle pallets. Sometimes, in the ordinary course of business, a pallet recycler will receive pallets that have been mislaid or misplaced and the recycling business arranges to have them returned to their rightful owners. A fee is charged for this service.

Summary: In a prosecution for theft or possession of stolen property, it is a sufficient defense that the property was merchandise pallets that were received by a pallet recycler or repairer in the ordinary course of its business.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate       48  0

House       94  0

Effective: June 10, 2004