SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1232

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Government Operations & Elections, April 2, 2003

Title: An act relating to jail booking fees.

Brief Description: Requiring jail booking fees to be based on actual costs.

Sponsors: House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections (originally sponsored by Representatives Kirby, Carrell and Flannigan).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 4/1/03, 4/2/03 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Stevens, Vice Chair; Kastama and McCaslin.

Staff: Mac Nicholson (786-7445)

Background: Municipalities and counties are authorized to require any person booked at a city, county, or regional jail to pay a $10 booking fee to the sheriff's department of the county or police chief of the city in which the jail is located. The booking fee must be returned if the defendant is acquitted, not charged, or if the charges are dismissed.

Summary of Bill: Municipalities and counties can charge a booking fee based on actual booking costs or $100, whichever is less.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Testimony For: Jails are allowed to collect more money to pay for the costs associated with booking arrested individuals. Increased financial accountability is placed on the individuals committing crimes in the community.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: PRO: Randy Lewis, City of Tacoma; Kathryn Woodard, Police Chief of Tacoma.