Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS

Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Committee

SSB 5964


This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Revising the definition of "most serious offense" and creating a task force to study crimes included in "most serious offense."

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Kline and Hargrove).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Creates the Task Force on Sentencing of Persistent Offenders.
  • Adds any out-of-state conviction for a felony offense with a finding of sexual motivation if the minimum sentence imposed was 10 years or more to the definition of "most serious offense."

Hearing Date: 3/26/07

Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).

Background:

In 1993, the voters approved Initiative 593, otherwise known as the "three-strikes" law, which imposes a life sentence upon an offender who commits a third "most serious offense" (otherwise known as a "strike"). The list of most serious offenses includes:

As mentioned above, an out-of-state conviction may be considered a most serious offense if it would be a most serious offense in Washington. For example, in State v. Russel, 104 Wn.App. 422 (2001), the Washington Court of Appeals ruled that an Arizona robbery conviction was equivalent to Robbery in the second degree in Washington and therefore a most serious offense. However, the court also ruled that an Arizona kidnapping conviction was not equivalent to Kidnapping in the second degree in Washington and therefore not a most serious offense.

Summary of Bill:

The Task Force on Sentencing of Persistent Offenders (Task Force) is established. The Task Force consists of the following members:

The objectives of the Task Force are to:

The Task Force must report its findings to the Legislature by December 31, 2007.

The following offense is added to the definition of most serious offense: any out-of-state conviction for a felony with a finding of sexual motivation if the minimum sentence imposed was 10 years or more.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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