SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6601

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                Law & Justice, February 6, 1998

Title:  An act relating to recovery of bail fugitives.

Brief Description:  Recovering bail fugitives.

Sponsors:  Senators Snyder, Roach and Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Law & Justice:  2/6/98 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6601 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Staff:  Aldo Melchiori (786-7439)

Background:  Bail bond recovery agents, commonly called bounty hunters, are not regulated in Washington.  There are very few states with regulations regarding this profession.  These bail bond recovery agents are typically retained by bail bond agents to apprehend and return bail fugitives to court.  Bail bond agents are licensed in Washington.  It has been suggested that unlicenced bail bond recovery agents may pose a threat to public safety.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The definitions apply throughout the chapter relating to the recovery of bail fugitives.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill provides for the licensing and regulation of bail bond recovery agents.  The substitute deletes almost the entire bill.  The parties are currently working to perfect the language of the original bill.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 28, 1998.

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect July 1, 1999.

Testimony For:  This is an unregulated profession.  We need to regulate bounty hunters and hold them accountable for their actions.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Snyder, prime sponsor (pro).