SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5246

                    As of February 5, 1997

Title:  An act relating to use of public facilities and resources.

Brief Description:  Making it a crime for public employees to use public facilities or resources to access patently offensive material.

Sponsors:  Senators Oke, Benton, Morton, Winsley, Zarelli, Hochstatter, Swecker, Finkbeiner and Stevens.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/11/97.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Staff:  Eugene Green (786-7405)

Background:  There is no criminal penalty for a state or municipal officer or employee found guilty of using public facilities or resources, including the Internet or other electronic and telecommunication services, for the purpose of accessing material that is patently offensive.

Summary of Bill:  If any state or municipal officer or employee or his or her supervisor uses, or acquiesces to the use of, public facilities or resources, including the Internet or other electronic and telecommunications services, for the purpose of accessing patently offensive material, he or she may be charged with a misdemeanor.

APatently offensive material@ is defined.

This act does not apply to uses of facilities or resources for official law enforcement purposes and purposes related to the official obligations of an officer or employee.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  None requested.

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