SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5050

                      AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 18, 1991

Brief Description:  Providing protection to the lieutenant governor.

SPONSORS:Senators McCaslin and Madsen; by request of Washington State Patrol.

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:January 29, 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:

Since the funding was made available, the Patrol has assigned one officer as security and driver for the Lieutenant Governor while on official state business.  This protection is clearly in the state's interest.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

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