SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SSB 6316

              AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 14, 1994

Brief Description:  Providing minimum qualifications for county sheriffs.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Government Operations (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, A. Smith, Oke, M. Rasmussen, Loveland, Winsley and Ludwig)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6316 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Haugen, Chairman; Drew, Vice Chairman; McCaslin, Oke, Owen and Winsley.

Minority Report:  Do not pass. 

     Signed by Senator Loveland.

Staff:  Rod McAulay (786‑7754)

Hearing Dates: February 2, 1994; February 4, 1994

BACKGROUND:

To qualify as a candidate for the office of county sheriff, a person must be an elector in the same county.  To be an elector, a person must be 18 years of age, have resided in the county for 30 days, and not be disqualified by a felony conviction.  A person who is a successful candidate for sheriff must complete a basic law enforcement training program which complies with the standards of the Criminal Justice Training Commission within one year of assuming office.

It is believed that more stringent requirements should be established for a person to be eligible to become a candidate for county sheriff.

SUMMARY:

On or after November 9, 1994, to appear on a ballot as a candidate for the office of county sheriff, a person must be a citizen of the United States, be a registered voter, have a high school diploma or equivalent, have not been convicted of a felony in any state or the United States, have not been convicted of a gross misdemeanor or of a crime involving moral turpitude within ten years of the date of election, be fingerprinted by the State Patrol, hold a certificate of completion of a basic law enforcement training program which complies with the standards of the Criminal Justice Training Commission or obtain such a certificate within 12 months of assuming office, have completed two years of fulltime law enforcement or corrections officer employment, or have completed either two years of law enforcement or corrections officer employment as a manager.

The work experience and postsecondary education requirements may be waived if no qualified candidate files or is available for appointment to fill a vacancy.

The county prosecutor or any citizen may bring an action to declare the office of sheriff vacant if the sheriff does not meet the qualifications to appear on the ballot.

Every sheriff must obtain 30 hours of continuing education each years.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested