HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 5418

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                          Judiciary

Title:  An act relating to criminal justice.

Brief Description:  Creating an interagency criminal justice work group.

Sponsor(s):  Senate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Thorsness, Rasmussen, Nelson and Talmadge).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Judiciary, April 5, 1991, DPA.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

JUDICIARY

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.  Signed by 15 members:  Representatives Appelwick, Chair; Ludwig, Vice Chair; Padden, Ranking Minority Member; Paris, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Broback; Forner; Hargrove; Inslee; Mielke; Riley; Scott; D. Sommers; Tate; Vance; and Wineberry.

Minority Report: Do not pass.  Signed by 3 members:  Representatives Belcher; R. Meyers; and H. Myers. 

Staff:  Bill Perry (786-7123).

Background:  The interagency criminal justice work group was established by Executive Order 81-15 to provide a central forum for communication between law enforcement entities and to facilitate statewide coordination of criminal justice services.

Summary of Amended Bill:  The interagency criminal justice work group is statutorily created.  The group is required to, among other things:  (1) identify issues which are problems for state and local law enforcement agencies; (2) develop immediate and long-range plans for alleviating prison and jail overcrowding; and (3) study and make recommendations regarding police brutality and harassment.

The membership of the interagency criminal justice work group is delineated.

There is a general fund appropriation of $30,000 to the work group for the biennium ending June 30, 1993.  The work group ceases to exist on July 1, 1996.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  The amendment includes requirements that the work group examine the problem of police brutality.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Appropriation:  Yes.

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

Testimony For:  Original bill:  The bill will assure continuance of a useful cooperative effort to address law enforcement issues.

Testimony Against:  Original bill:  The bill is an unnecessary limitation on executive branch flexibility.

Witnesses:  Mike Redman, Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (in favor of original bill); and Sid Sidorowicz, Governor's Office (opposed to original bill).