SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6052
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.
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Human Services & Corrections, February 23, 2007
Title: An act relating to requiring arson offenders to register with the county sheriff.
Brief Description: Requiring arson offenders to register with the county sheriff.
Sponsors: Senators Holmquist, Kline and Hargrove.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Human Services & Corrections: 2/20/07, 2/23/07 [DPS].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6052 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Stevens, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Carrell, Marr and McAuliffe.
Staff: Kiki Keizer (786-7430)
Background: In 1990, the Legislature enacted the Community Protection Act, which created one
of the first sex offender registration laws in the country. A person convicted of a sex or
kidnapping offense must register with the county sheriff of the county in which he or she lives.
The person subject to the registration requirements must provide such information as his or her
name, address, date and place of birth, place of employment, crime of conviction, date and place
of conviction, aliases, Social Security number, photograph, and fingerprints. He or she must also
notify the county sheriff if he or she is enrolled in public or private school or in an institution of
higher education.
Failure to register is a crime.
Summary of Bill: A separate registration statute is created for persons convicted of a crime of arson.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY RECOMMENDED SUBSTITUTE AS PASSED COMMITTEE (Human Services & Corrections): Registration requirements are limited to arson offenders who committed an arson offense on or after the effective date of the act. References to offenders under the jurisdiction of the indeterminate sentence review board and the Department of Social and Health Services are removed. The requirement for an arson offender who moves out-of-state to register with the new state is removed.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 19, 2007.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Arson can be costly, in terms of money, resources,
and lives. Arsonists have high recidivism rates.
We need tools to investigate arson. The registry created by the bill would not be open to the
public; it would only be available to law enforcement.
California has already created an arson registry.
CON: This proposal creates a system for law enforcement to go on a fishing expedition, rather
than to do an investigation and build a case based on evidence gathered at the scene. It is
inappropriate to put these kinds of restrictions on persons who have already served their time and
probationary period.
OTHER: Answered questions for members of the committee.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Holmquist, prime sponsor; Clayton Myers, Kittitas County
Sheriff's Office; Roger Ferris, Washington Fire Commissioners Association.
CON: Jennifer Shaw, American Civil Liberties Union, Washington.
OTHER: Jeff DeVere, Washington State Patrol.