FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5309

C 289 L 01

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Providing funding for local government criminal justice.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Constantine, Sheahan, Hewitt, Costa, Parlette, Carlson, Regala, T. Sheldon, Swecker, Jacobsen, B. Sheldon, Kastama, Gardner and Oke).

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

House Committee on Appropriations

Background:  As a result of the repeal of the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (MVET), revenue distributions to local governments for criminal justice and other purposes were substantially reduced.  In the 2000 supplemental budget, the Legislature provided partial replacement for these reduced revenues distributions.

Under current law, revenue generated from most criminal infractions and penalties is distributed among the Public Safety and Education Account, the Judicial Information Systems Account, and the Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Care Account.  A portion of the revenue is also retained  by local governments.

Summary:  An additional $10 penalty for traffic infractions is imposed.  An additional $50 penalty is imposed for persons convicted of misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, and felony traffic crimes.  The distribution of the revenue derived from these additional penalties remains unchanged.

Money retained by local governments shall constitute reimbursement for any liabilities under the unfunded mandate statute.

Drug court operations are made a permanent allowable use of the Public Safety and Education Account.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate40 9

House     77 14 (House amended)

Senate    36 10 (Senate concurred)

Effective:  July 22, 2001