HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1732

                    As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to warrant servers.

Brief Description:  Allowing cities over 400,000 population to assign warrant servers to the police department.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Appelwick, Winsley, Wineberry, Locke, Ferguson, Scott and Forner.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Judiciary, February 22, 1991, DP;

Passed House, March 12, 1991, 96-0;

Passed House, February 3, 1992, 96-0;

Amended by Senate;

Passed Legislature.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

JUDICIARY

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 17 members:  Representatives Appelwick, Chair; Ludwig, Vice Chair; Padden, Ranking Minority Member; Paris, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Belcher; Broback; Forner; Hargrove; Locke; R. Meyers; Mielke; H. Myers; Riley; Scott; Tate; Vance; and Wineberry.

Staff:  Bill Perry (786-7123).

Background:  Until 1977, police departments served warrants issued by the municipal courts.  However, a law enacted in that year made the position of warrant server a function of the municipal court.

Summary of Bill:  The title of "warrant server" is changed to "warrant officer."  Warrant officers are to be employees of the city police departments.  Warrant officers may make arrests under warrants and as authorized by city ordinance.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Trained police personnel are better equipped than court employees to respond to dangerous situations encountered by warrant servers.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Ted Inckley, Chief, Seattle City Attorney's Office (pro).