SENATE BILL REPORT

                            HB 2377

              AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 26, 1994

Brief Description:  Including optical imaging reproductions as business record copies admissible as evidence.

SPONSORS: Representatives Appelwick, Johanson, Padden, H. Myers, Ballasiotes, Tate, Scott and Anderson

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators A. Smith, Chairman; Ludwig, Vice Chairman; Nelson, Quigley, Roach and Schow.

Staff:  Susan Carlson (786‑7418)

Hearing Dates: February 16, 1994

BACKGROUND:

Washington has adopted the "Uniform Photographic Copies of Business and Public Records as Evidence Act."  It provides that certain copies of business or government records are admissible as evidence in a court proceeding to the same extent as are the original records.  Copies that are allowed under this act include "photographic, photostatic, microfilm, microcard, miniature photographic" and other accurate and durable copies.

Although the current law generally allows any accurate and durable copy to be used as evidence, the law does not explicitly include more modern technologies such as optical imaging.  Optical imaging is a process in which documents are scanned electronically and stored on a computer storage device such as a laser disk.

SUMMARY:

The Uniform Photographic Copies of Business and Public Records as Evidence Act is amended to explicitly allow the use of optical imaging as a way of producing copies admissible as evidence.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

The bill recognizes the modern technology of optical imaging as a means of storing documents.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Douglas Connell, Dept. of Labor and Industries; Lew McMurran, Household Int'l.