HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

HB 1800

Title:An act relating to community involvement in stopping crime.

Brief Description:Assisting crime stoppers programs.

Sponsors: Representatives Delvin and Poulsen.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND CORRECTIONS

Staff:Yvonne Walker (786-7841)

Background:  Crime Stoppers is a community-based program that joins law enforcement, the community, and the media in an alliance to generate public awareness and assistance to solving crimes. 

Summary:  The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (CTED) may provide grants to local law enforcement agencies or local jurisdictions with Crime Stopper programs.  The CTED will determine if any matching funds should be required.  Twenty five percent of the grants must be for training, public awareness, and establishing new programs.  The grants must be used only for operating costs and not rewards.  Law enforcement agencies or local jurisdictions may not receive more than one grant during each biennium.  The grant may be made either to start a program or expand an existing program.

The CTED must appoint an advisory council to periodically review the crime stoppers programs and report to the Legislature by the first of January of each year about the program=s progress.  

A maximum of $750,000 will be appropriated during the 1997-99 biennium to fund the crime stoppers programs.

Require the Exercise of Rule- Making Powers:  No

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 11, 1997.

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