SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6057

          AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, FEBRUARY 6, 1992

Brief Description:  Creating a crime laboratory analysis fee.

SPONSORS: Senators Nelson, Madsen, Newhouse, Conner and Rasmussen; by request of Washington State Patrol

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6057 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

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

Staff:  Jon Carlson (786‑7459)

Hearing Dates: January 22, 1992

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That substitute Senate Bill No. 6057 as recommended by Committee on Law & Justice be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. 

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

Staff:  Cindi Holmstrom (786-7715)

Hearing Dates:  February 5, 1992; February 6, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Since the creation of the Crime Laboratory within the State Patrol, the Crime Laboratory has provided analysis and scientific handling of physical evidence primarily relating to violent crimes against people.  Under current law there is no authorization to charge for these services, so the costs have been incurred without compensation.

The crime laboratory system has experienced considerable growth in the last few years, and recent legislation has also contributed to the increased demand for services.  The ability to charge an analysis fee to defendants convicted of a crime would help to augment the diminished resources of the crime laboratory system.

SUMMARY:

The original bill was not considered.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

A State Patrol Crime Laboratory analysis fee of $100 is charged to adults convicted of a crime or minors adjudicated as juvenile offenders in those cases in which an analysis is performed.  The court may suspend payment of all or part of the fee if it finds that the person is unable to pay.  

The fee is collected by the clerk of the court and forwarded to the State Treasurer for deposit in the state general fund. The clerk may retain $5 to defray the costs of collection.

Appropriation:  none 

Revenue:  yes

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

The revenue from this analysis fee will assist the State Patrol Crime Laboratories in dealing with their increasing workload.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Tim Erickson, Washington State Patrol