SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 2500

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

               Law & Justice, February 25, 1998

Title:  An act relating to the uniform act on fresh pursuit.

Brief Description:  Amending uniform act on fresh pursuit.

Sponsors:  Representatives Sheahan, Appelwick, McMorris, Radcliff, Alexander, Grant, O'Brien, Doumit, Ogden and Thompson.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Law & Justice:  2/24/98, 2/25/98 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Johnson, Vice Chair; Fairley, Hargrove, Kline, Long, Stevens, Thibaudeau and Zarelli.

Staff:  David Johnson (786-7754)

Background:  Law enforcement officers from other states can enter Washington in fresh pursuit of a suspected felon.  They are granted the same authority to arrest and hold a fleeing felon as a local officer would have.  Under the Uniform Fresh Pursuit Act, officers do not have the authority to pursue suspects other than felons.

Summary of Amended Bill:  Officers from other states may also pursue, arrest, and hold subjects suspected of driving under the influence, impaired driving, or reckless driving with the same authority as a local officer.  Language is made gender neutral.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The amendment makes language gender neutral.

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.