SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   EHB 1395

          AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, FEBRUARY 27, 1992

Brief Description:  Maintaining the Washington state patrol crime laboratory locations.

SPONSORS:Representatives Ludwig, Nealey, Bray, Haugen, Lisk, Braddock, Grant, Neher, Edmondson, Prince, Ogden, Rayburn, Riley, H. Myers, Morris, Jones, R. Meyers, Wynne, Chandler, G. Fisher, Basich, Inslee, Orr, Sprenkle, Scott, Dellwo, Jacobsen and Brekke.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means. 

      Signed by Senators Nelson, Chairman; Hayner, M. Kreidler, Madsen, Newhouse, Rasmussen, and A. Smith.

Staff:  Dick Armstrong (786-7460)

Hearing Dates:April 1, 1991; April 2, 1991; February 20, 1992; February 21, 1992

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Bailey, Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Gaspard, Hayner, M. Kreidler, Metcalf, Murray, Newhouse, Rinehart, Saling, L. Smith, Talmadge, West, and Wojahn.

Staff:  Cindi Holmstrom (786-7715)

Hearing Dates:February 26, 1992; February 27, 1992

BACKGROUND:

In 1980, the Legislature statutorily created a crime laboratory system within the Washington State Patrol.  The crime lab system is authorized to scientifically analyze physical evidence relating to any crime and to provide training assistance to local law enforcement personnel. 

Currently there are crime labs located in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Everett, Kelso, and Kennewick.  The Governor's 1991-93 budget proposed a reduction in funding for the Crime Laboratory Division which would have had the effect of consolidating the laboratories, closing the Everett, Kennewick, and Kelso labs.  The final budget did not include this proposal.

SUMMARY:

The State Patrol is required to maintain the crime laboratory system in at least the same locations as it did on December 31, 1990.  The Patrol must provide services at those locations through June 30, 1993.   

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

TESTIMONY FOR:

The satellite labs provide service to law enforcement in parts of the state where having to rely on one or a few centrally located labs would result in great inefficiency and delay.

This bill clarifies the Legislature's intent to keep the satellite crime laboratories open during the 1993-95 biennium.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Representative Ludwig, prime sponsor (pro); Mike Redman, Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (pro)