SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    HB 1057

             AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS,

                                MARCH 25, 1991

Brief Description:  Providing protection to the lieutenant governor.

SPONSORS:Representatives Anderson, McLean, R. Fisher, Ferguson and Miller; by request of Washington State Patrol.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Roach, Vice Chairman; Madsen, Matson, and Sutherland. 

Staff:  Barbara Howard (786‑7410)

Hearing Dates:March 25, 1991

BACKGROUND:

For many years, the Washington State Patrol has had statutory authority to provide security and protection for the Governor and the Governor's family.  A general fund appropriation of $50,000 was made in the 1990 supplemental budget for protection of the Lieutenant Governor, who also holds a visible and sensitive public position.  Although the State Patrol has provided such security for the Lieutenant Governor in the past, it has been requested that the statutory authority be clarified.

SUMMARY:

The Chief of the State Patrol is expressly authorized to provide security and protection for the Lieutenant Governor.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:   available

TESTIMONY FOR:

The office of Lieutenant Governor is sensitive enough to warrant State Patrol protection.  The practice has been funded, but the statutory authority has not been clarified.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Rick Jensen, Deputy Chief, WSP (pro)