SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 6212

              As Passed Senate, February 12, 1998

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

Brief Description:  Amending uniform act on fresh pursuit.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators McCaslin, Snyder, B. Sheldon, Roach, T. Sheldon, Goings, Bauer, Zarelli, West, Haugen and Oke).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Law & Justice:  1/19/98, 2/2/98 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 2/12/98, 47-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6212 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Johnson, Vice Chair; Fairley, Goings, Hargrove, Kline, Long, McCaslin, 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 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.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Drunken and reckless drivers are a danger.  Pursuing them into Washington should be allowed to protect the public.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Dave Logsdon, Astoria Police Department; Judge Douglas Goetz; Judge Steve Dwyer.