Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS

Criminal Justice & Corrections Committee

HB 2762

Brief Description: Extending the joint task force on criminal background check processes.

Sponsors: Representatives Dickerson and Ahern.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Extends the Joint Task Force on Criminal Background Check Processes one additional year.

Hearing Date: 1/24/06

Staff: Yvonne Walker (786-7841).

Background:

The Joint Task Force on Criminal Background Check Processes (Task Force) was originally created by the passage of Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2556 during the 2004 (and extended during the 2005) legislative session. The legislation required the Task Force to review and make recommendations regarding how to improve the state's criminal background check processes and to report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature.

Membership. The membership of the Task Force consists of one member from each of the two largest caucuses of the Senate and the House of Representatives; one representative from the Washington State Patrol, the Department of Social and Health Services, and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; one elected sheriff or police chief, selected by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs; and jointly appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate, representatives from the following entities:

Issues to be Considered. The Task Force was required, at a minimum, to review the following issues:

The Task Force, where feasible, may consult with individuals from the public and private sector and may use legislative facilities and staff from Senate Committee Services and the House of Representatives Office of Program Research.

The Task Force held six public meetings in 2005, and made five recommendations. One of the Task Force's recommendations was to extend the life of the Task Force in order to consider matters that were raised at the 2005 meetings of the Task Force but that required further analysis and discussion.

Summary of Bill:

The Joint Task Force on Criminal Background Check Processes (Task Force) is extended for one additional year. The Task Force is authorized to continue its work until December 31, 2006, at which time it must report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature.

The entire act expires on January 31, 2007.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.