Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research		 BILL
ANALYSIS
Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Committee

HB 2505

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Providing funding for a patrol vessel for public protection and emergencies.

Sponsors: Representative O'Brien.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires Island County to obtain a patrol vessel for providing coastal defense duties and public protection.
  • Appropriates $500,000 to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs for the purchase of a patrol vessel.

Hearing Date: 1/16/08

Staff: Yvonne Walker (786-7841).

Background:

Patrol vessels are available in various sizes and designs and are often used by various military departments and police departments for patrolling large bodies of water, providing defense duties, law enforcement, and rescue missions.

Although the Washington State Patrol does not operate a patrol vessel, many localities such as King County and Port Orchard are known to own and operate small vessels for providing law enforcement assistance.

A portion of the Federal homeland security funding available to each state may be used for the purchase of patrol vessels.

Summary of Bill:

Island County is required to procure a patrol vessel for coastal defense duties. The patrol vessel must be used to provide border protection, anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, fisheries patrol, surveillance, aiding in natural and artificially created emergencies and disasters, law enforcement, and providing other such public protection as needed for the Puget Sound. The Puget Sound is defined as extending as far north as the Canadian border and as far west as the City of Port Angeles.

An appropriation of $500,000 is made from the General Fund to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs to fund the purchase of a patrol vessel for Island County.

Appropriation: The sum of $ 500,000.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 9, 2008.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed. However, the bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.