SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5004

                      AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 18, 1991

Brief Description:  Permitting certified public records from other states to be admissible evidence.

SPONSORS:Senators L. Kreidler and Nelson.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Nelson, Chairman; Thorsness, Vice Chairman; Erwin, Hayner, L. Kreidler, Madsen, Newhouse, Rasmussen, and A. Smith. 

Staff:  Jack Brummel (786‑7428)

Hearing Dates:February 6, 1991; February 8, 1991

BACKGROUND:

In the prosecution of traffic offenses, prosecutors do not have the legal ability to subpoena out-of-state witnesses.  Washington law allows certified public records of the United States and of this state, but not from other states or territories of the United States.  Allowing certified records from other states as evidence will assist in prosecuting certain traffic offenses.

SUMMARY:

Public records of the United States, the state of Washington, or any other state or territory of the United States, when certified, shall be admitted in evidence in Washington State courts.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

There is currently no mechanism to get other state officials to state in court that copies of their records are true and accurate.  It is hard to prosecute those driving in this state with licenses which have been suspended in another state.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  George Steele, Thurston County prosecutor (pro)