SENATE BILL REPORT

 

                           ESSB 5452

 

                AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 5, 1993

 

 

Brief Description:  Requiring misdemeanants to pay jail costs.

 

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Hargrove, Deccio, Oke and Hochstatter)

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

 

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5452 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators A. Smith, Chairman; Quigley, Vice Chairman; Hargrove, McCaslin, Nelson, Niemi, Rinehart, Roach, and Spanel.

 

Staff:  Tom McBride (786‑7448)

 

Hearing Dates: February 9, 1993; February 10, 1993

 

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CORRECTIONS

 

 

BACKGROUND:

 

In 1991 legislation was passed that allowed superior court judges to order defendants convicted of felonies to pay for the cost of their incarceration.  The court first determines that the defendant has the ability to pay the cost of his or her incarceration, in addition to any other financial obligations imposed.  If the court determines that the defendant can pay for the costs of incarceration, the court has the discretion to order $50 per day of incarceration be paid by the defendant.

 

SUMMARY:

 

Superior and district court judges may order defendants convicted of misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors to pay for the cost of their incarceration at the rate of up to $50 per day.  Indigent defendants are not required to pay the costs of incarceration.  The cost of incarceration will not be recovered until all other legal financial obligations are paid.

 

Appropriation:  none

 

Revenue:  none

 

Fiscal Note:  requested February 5, 1993

 

TESTIMONY FOR:  None

 

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

 

TESTIFIED:  No one

 

HOUSE AMENDMENT(S):

 

It is provided that the funds received will be used for criminal justice purposes.