SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5271

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

             Natural Resources, February 10, 1995

Title:  An act relating to arrests by United States forest service and park service special agents without warrant.

Brief Description:  Allowing certain federal officers to arrest without warrant.

Sponsors:  Senator Drew.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources:  1/24/95, 2/10/95 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5271 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Drew, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Haugen, Oke, Owen and Snyder.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

  Signed by Senators Morton, Strannigan and Swecker.

Staff:  Vic Moon (786-7469)

Background:  Officers of the United States Forest Service and National Park Service do not have authority to arrest a person under state law.  County law enforcement officials often use Forest Service and Park Service personnel in law enforcement situations.  Under present state law, officers of the United States Custom Service and the Immigration and Naturalization Service may arrest a person without a warrant if the officer is on duty or if certain legally defined circumstances exist. 

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Officers of the United States Forest Service and the National Park Service may arrest without a warrant in certain circumstances, if those special agents are certified to the state of Washington that they have received proper training from their agency.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The title is corrected.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This will allow more efficient use of existing law enforcement officers.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Mike Nitsch, Ben Hull, USFS; Bill Frazier, William Larson, Nat. Park Service.