SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 1818

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                  Ways & Means, April 3, 1995

Title:  An act relating to criminal justice funding.

Brief Description:  Providing for criminal justice funding.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives R. Fisher, Robertson, Scott, Costa, Mason, Ogden, Wolfe, Conway and Cody; by request of Washington State Patrol).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Ways & Means:  4/3/95 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Rinehart, Chair; Loveland, Vice Chair; Bauer, Cantu, Drew, Finkbeiner, Fraser, Gaspard, Hargrove, Hochstatter, Johnson, Long, McDonald, Pelz, Quigley, Roach, Sheldon, Snyder, Spanel, Strannigan, West, Winsley and Wojahn.

Staff:  Linda Brownell (786-7913)

Background:  In 1990, the Legislature established criminal justice assistance accounts in the State Treasury for counties and municipalities.  At the time of their establishment, the Legislature found that "many counties and cities are unable to provide sufficient funding  for additional police protection, mitigation of congested court systems, and relief of over-crowded jails."

The funding for the accounts comes from the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax  (MVET).  Current statute has about 5.9 percent of the MVET going to county criminal justice assistance, and about 2.4 percent going to municipalities.  Funds are appropriated by the Legislature and distributed to counties based on population, crime rate, and criminal case filings. 

For municipal distribution, the account is distributed based on population, crime rate, innovative criminal justice strategies, use of funds for domestic violence reduction, and costs associated with contracting with other governmental agencies for the majority of the city's law enforcement services.

The accounts were re-authorized in the 1993 legislative session, with a cap placed on the total amount of distributions for the 1993-95 biennium.  For the 1995-97 biennium, there will be no dollar cap.  Starting in the 1997-99 biennium, the amount distributed each fiscal year will increase only by inflation, thereby re-establishing the dollar cap.

The current estimate for the 1993-95 biennium is $81.4 million in distributions.  The current estimate for 1995-97 distributions is $104.4 million.

Summary of Bill:  The current statute is changed by authorizing that not more than 5 percent of the funds from the account can be available for appropriation for enhancements to the State Patrol Crime Lab system, as well as the continuing costs of these enhancements.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  No one.