HOUSE BILL REPORT

E2SSB 5538

BYSenate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Owen, Warnke, Stratton, von Reichbauer, Lee, Garrett and Moore)

Creating the major crimes investigation and assistance unit.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (21)

      Signed by Representatives Betrozoff, Cantwell, Cooper, Day, Doty, Fisch, Fisher, Gallagher, Hankins, Haugen, Heavey, Kremen, Meyers, Patrick, Prince, C. Smith, Spanel, Sutherland, Vekich, J. Williams and S. Wilson.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (3)

      Signed by Representatives Walk, Chair; Baugher, Vice Chair, and Schmidt.

House Staff:Louise Bray (786-7322)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION APRIL 2, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Currently the Washington State Patrol drug control assistance unit provides investigative assistance for enforcement of narcotic and drug laws.  It has been suggested a separate unit be created to provide major crimes investigation and assistance.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  A unit is created within the Washington State Patrol to provide statewide expertise and assistance in major crimes information collection and dissemination and to cooperate with other states and nations in investigations which could relate to crimes in Washington.  The unit shall develop a computer data bank, a records system, and a communications network to collect, store, and disseminate information within the state and shall work with other agencies, states, the federal government, and other nations to develop compatible criminal information collection and dissemination systems.  The Chief of the Washington State Patrol shall develop unit expertise through contract with the Green River Task Force and may employ investigators and other personnel who need not have completed the State Patrol training program.  "Major crimes" include first and second degree arson, homicide, rape, and kidnapping and missing persons cases.

The State Patrol Chief shall report yearly to the Washington State Advisory Council on Criminal Justice Services which shall assist in devising resource policy for the unit.  A nine-member local government advisory board, appointed by the executive board of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, shall include sheriffs and police chiefs from eastern and western Washington, and representatives from jurisdictions of both large and small populations.  Membership shall include one member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House; one member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate; and two members of nonprofessional law enforcement status.  The board shall annually report to the Legislature on the activities and progress of the unit.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ENGROSSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE:  Language is added to emphasize that the major crimes unit may only assist at the request of the local jurisdiction.

Fiscal Note:      Attached.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Senator Brad Owen; John Schacht, Walla Walla County Prosecuting Attorney; Larry Erickson, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The expertise of the Green River Task Force will be preserved in the major crimes investigation unit.  This expertise will be particularly useful for rural law enforcement agencies that do not have the personnel or expertise to deal with some types of major crimes.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.