HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                      Olympia, Washington

Bill Analysis      Bill No. HB 1360

State patrol officers to engage in private employment     Public Hrg:  2/5/97

Brief Title

Reps. K. Schmidt/Scott/Zellinsky                          Staff Contact: B. Mauldin

Sponsor                                    Comm. on Govt. Admin.

                                           Phone: 786-7093

BACKGROUND:

No state employee or officer may use any person, money, or property under his or her official control or direction for private benefit or gain for the employee, officer, or any other person.  In the case of Washington State Patrol officers, this property includes uniforms, automobiles, and weapons.  An ethics board may adopt rules to allow occasional exceptions to this prohibition.

There is no express authority for, or prohibition against, Washington State Patrol officers engaging in off-duty law enforcement employment for private benefit.

SUMMARY

Washington State Patrol officers may engage in private off-duty law enforcement employment.  The executive ethics board adopts rules providing for this type of private employment.  The ethics board is authorized to allow state patrol officers to use persons, money, or property under their official control or direction in the course of private law enforcement employment, as long as it does not interfere with their  performance of public duties.  These rules allow long-term private employment under the conditions set by the executive ethics board.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.