SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5510

              As Passed Senate, January 12, 1996

Title:  An act relating to crimes involving food stamps.

Brief Description:  Revising provisions relating to food stamp crimes.

Sponsors:  Senators Smith, Roach and Quigley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Law & Justice:  2/6/95 [DP]; 1/9/96 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/9/95, 47-0; 1/12/96, 47-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Smith, Chair; Fairley, Vice Chair; Goings, Haugen, Johnson, Long, McCaslin, Quigley, Roach and Schow.

Staff:  Susan Carlson (786-7418)

Background:  State law establishes criminal penalties for purchasing, or otherwise acquiring and selling, food stamps issued to another person through the Food Stamp Program.  By requiring proof that the stamps were issued through the Food Stamp Program, the language of this statute has been interpreted to preclude prosecution of a person who purchases food stamps from an undercover police officer. 

Summary of Bill:  A person is subject to criminal penalties if the person purchases, or otherwise acquires and sells, food stamps as defined by the Federal Food Stamp Act.

References to food coupons are replaced by the term food stamps. 

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  No one.