SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5183

                As Passed Senate, March 7, 1997

Title:  An act relating to a municipal court defendant incarcerated at a jail facility in the county but outside the city limits.

Brief Description:  Allowing an interlocal agreement between a county and municipality to transfer jurisdiction over a defendant.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Roach, Fairley and Winsley).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Law & Justice:  2/3/97, 2/5/97  [DPS].

Passed Senate, 3/7/97, 46-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5183 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Staff:  Mal Murphy (786-7412)

Background:  There is currently uncertainty as to whether or not a municipal court defendant held in a county jail facility outside the city limits of the charging city may be transferred to the jurisdiction of the district court for trial.

Summary of Bill:  A city may, by interlocal agreement, contract with the county to transfer jurisdiction and venue over a defendant held in a county jail outside the city limits to the district court.  The same judicial services are provided by the district court as are provided by the municipal court.   

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 29, 1997.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  When the new King County jail opens in Kent, it will house defendants charged in Seattle Municipal Court who are arrested in south King County.  This bill is needed to give Seattle clear right to try them in District Court in Kent, rather than transport them to Seattle.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Richard Green, Seattle City Attorney=s office (pro).