SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5364

                    AS OF JANUARY 28, 1993

Brief Description:  Funding local criminal justice.

SPONSORS: Senators Deccio, Talmadge, Gaspard, Oke, McCaslin, Quigley, Snyder, Vognild and Winsley

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Staff:  Eugene Green (786‑7405)

Hearing Dates: February 4, 1993

BACKGROUND:

In 1990, the Legislature passed the Local Criminal Justice Fiscal Assistance Act.  The act was passed in response to concerns expressed by counties and cities as to the adequacy of their resources to provide for a variety of efficient criminal justice activities.  A one-time general fund distribution was given to counties based on each county's size, crime rate and criminal case filings.  A one-time general fund distribution was also given to cities:  one-half based on crime rates; one-half based on population.  For the period July 1, 1990 to January 1, 1994, the act distributes 5.9686 percent of the state Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (MVET) to counties based on population, crime rate, and number of criminal cases filed in the county superior court.  For the 1991-1993 biennium, the county distribution is estimated at $58.3 million.  For the period July 1, 1990 to January 1, 1994, the act provides for two distributions of the state MVET to cities.  The first distribution is 1.1937 percent of the MVET based on crime rates in excess of 125 percent of the statewide average.  The second city distribution is also 1.1937 percent of the state MVET based on population.  For the 1991-1993 biennium, the city distributions are estimated at $23.3 million.  All three of these distributions must be used exclusively for criminal justice programs.

Seven counties are authorized to impose a temporary one-tenth of 1 percent sales tax.  King, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston and Yakima counties have imposed this tax.  The revenues from this tax are distributed to the county and the cities within the county essentially ratably based on population.  This tax must be approved by the voters and its authorization expires on January 1, 1994.  This tax must be used exclusively for criminal justice programs.

The act also created a Task Force on City and County Finances consisting of five members of the Senate, five members of the House, and two nonvoting representatives of the Governor.  The task force was to examine and make recommendations on the need for fiscal assistance to cities and counties, the adequacy of city and county revenues, the promotion of efficiencies in local government, and revisions to Initiative 62.  The task force was to submit a report to the Legislature by September 1, 1992.  It expired on December 31, 1992.

SUMMARY:

The state Motor Vehicle Excise Tax distributions to counties and cities for criminal justice programs are continued indefinitely.

The county authorization for a one-tenth of 1 percent sales tax for criminal justice programs is made permanent.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  yes

Fiscal Note:  requested January 26, 1993