BILL REQ. #:  Z-0575.1 

Read first time 02/03/2003.   Referred to Committee on Judiciary.

     AN ACT Relating to recommendations by the sentencing guidelines commission on threshold property values for crimes involving property; adding a new section to chapter 9.94A RCW; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   It has been twenty years since the legislature has comprehensively reviewed and adjusted threshold property values for crimes involving property. The legislature declares that in the interests of justice a study should be conducted to determine whether threshold property values for crimes involving property and the method for determining such values should be changed. The legislature intends to establish an objective and public process for reviewing the current threshold values for the crimes set forth in section 2 of this act. The legislature intends the process to be thorough and reflect input from all affected parties.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 9.94A RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The sentencing guidelines commission is directed to conduct a study of threshold property values for crimes involving property.
     The commission shall include in the study at least the crimes of malicious mischief, theft, unlawful issuance of checks or drafts, theft of rental, leased, or lease-purchased property, and possessing stolen property, as well as any other property-based crimes other than those related to controlled substances in which the value of the property is an element of the offense.
     The commission shall study the need and effect of changing threshold property values for crimes involving property, identify viable mechanisms for establishing a periodic review or adjustment of such values, and whether a particular mechanism should be recommended to the legislature and governor. If a preferred mechanism is identified, it shall be included in the report required under subsection (3) of this section.
     (2) The commission shall seek the participation of the business community, prosecuting attorneys, defense attorneys, local governments, and the department of corrections.
     (3) The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations to the legislature and the governor by December 1, 2004.
     (4) This section expires July 1, 2005.