SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6527

                    As of February 3, 1998

Title:  An act relating to financing county criminal justice programs.

Brief Description:  Funding county criminal justice programs.

Sponsors:  Senator Morton.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Ways & Means:  2/3/98.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Staff:  Bryon Moore (786-7726)

Background: Motor vehicle excise tax.  The state imposes an excise tax for the privilege of using a motor vehicle in this state.  The tax is levied annually on the value of the vehicle at a rate of 2.2 percent.

The revenues generated by the motor vehicle excise tax (MVET) are deposited into various accounts for various purposes.  Revenues remaining after all of these distributions are retained in the state general fund and are subject to appropriation for general governmental purposes.

Local criminal justice funding. The county criminal justice account receives a distribution from the MVET.  Prior to 1997, of the basic MVET rate, 5.9686 percent of the basic MVET rate was deposited into the county criminal justice account.  Beginning in 1997, the distribution equals the previous year's deposit increased by the implicit price deflator.  The account is distributed according to a statutory formula based on population, crime rates, and superior court filings.  The account is available to county governments for general criminal justice purposes.  Five percent of the total distribution to this account is available for appropriation to the State Patrol for enhancements to the crime laboratory system.

Summary of Bill:  The State Treasurer is required to deduct 3 percent of the county criminal justice assistance account distribution and transmit this amount to the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (CTED).

With these funds, CTED must provide additional assistance to counties under 70,000 in population that have experienced "emergencies or extraordinary events" that have made it disproportionally difficult for the county to provide mitigation of congested court systems, medical treatment of jail inmates, or relief of overcrowded jails.  CTED must define "emergency or extraordinary event".

Funds not expended shall lapse and revert to the county criminal justice assistance account.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 31, 1998.

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