SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2407

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Judiciary, February 26, 2002

Title:  An act relating to establishing the authority to create and operate regional jails.

Brief Description:  Establishing the authority to create and operate regional jails.

Sponsors:  Representatives Ballasiotes, O'Brien, Lovick, Hurst, Woods, Kagi and Haigh.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Judiciary:   2/26/02 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

Signed by Senators Kline, Chair; Kastama, Vice Chair; Costa, Hargrove, Johnson, Long, McCaslin, Poulsen, Thibaudeau and Zarelli.

Staff:  Aldo Melchiori (786‑7439)

Background:  Counties, cities and towns may acquire, build, operate, and maintain holding, detention, special detention, and correctional facilities within their county territorial limits. Persons convicted of an offense punishable by incarceration in a city or county jail may be confined in the jail of any other city or county pursuant to a contract for jail services.

Summary of Amended Bill:  Two or more local governments, or one or more local governments and the state, may create and operate regional jails. Regional jails may be governed by representatives from multiple jurisdictions in compliance with the interlocal cooperation act.  Counties and cities may still contract for jail services.  A jurisdiction that sends a defendant to a regional jail in another county prior to conviction is responsible for providing access to the defendant's public defense counsel.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The provision requiring jurisdictions to provide access to public defense counsel was added.  The state may also enter into agreements with local governments for jail services.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This will allow jails to be operated more efficiently.

Testimony Against:  Some defendants may have additional problems gaining access to their public defense counsel (addressed in the amendment).

Testified:  Tim Shellberg, WASPC; Sherry Appleton, WDA/WACDL.