SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 1383

                     As of March 23, 1999

Title:  An act relating to liability insurance for law enforcement personnel.

Brief Description:  Authorizing local government purchase of liability insurance for law enforcement personnel.

Sponsors:  Representatives Constantine, Delvin, Lambert, Esser, Linville, Pennington, O'Brien and Ogden.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  3/25/99.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Staff:  Sharon Swanson (786-7445)

Background:  Local governments are authorized by statute to purchase various types of insurance for their officials and employees.  Counties, cities and other local government entities may purchase liability insurance to protect their officials and employees against liability claims arising from acts associated with performance of their duties.

Local governments may also purchase liability insurance to protect and hold personally harmless their officials and employees from claims arising out of their employment or duties.  The governing board of a county, city, town, school district, port district, public utility district, sewer district, water district, irrigation district or other municipal corporation or political subdivision is authorized by statute to purchase liability insurance insuring any of its commissioners, council members, directors or other governing board members as well as its officers, employees and agents.  The decision to purchase this liability insurance is within the discretion of the local governing boards.

Summary of Bill:  The authorization for purchasing liability insurance is clarified to expressly include law enforcement personnel.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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