SB 6103

SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6103

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:
Judiciary, February 28, 2007

Title: An act relating to a pilot program for enforcement of financial fraud and identity theft laws.

Brief Description: Creating a pilot program for enforcement of financial fraud and identity theft laws.

Sponsors: Senators Kline, Roach, Weinstein, McCaslin, Brandland, Carrell, Hargrove, Delvin, Honeyford, Shin, Kohl-Welles and Rasmussen.

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6103 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators Kline, Chair; Tom, Vice Chair; Carrell, Hargrove, Murray, Roach and Weinstein.

Background: Identity theft occurs when someone uses personal information such as a person's name, social security number, credit card number, or other identifying information, without permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft perpetrators often open credit card accounts, bank accounts, home and car loans, and generally go on a spending spree. Financial fraud and identity theft encompass a broad array of crimes, including bank, mail, and wire fraud, technology and computer crimes, and various other offenses.

Proponents of this legislation believe that devoting some state and private funding specifically to the prosecution of financial fraud crimes and identity theft offenses will reduce the incidence of these crimes in Washington State.

Summary of Bill: A pilot program is created to provide assistance for jurisdictions enforcing financial fraud and identity theft laws. Three pilot enforcement areas are identified, two in the largest counties by population west of the crest of the Cascade mountains, and one in the largest county by population east of the crest of the Cascade mountains. Funding will be divided equally between the three pilot enforcement areas. The funding is directed to be used by prosecutors, law enforcement, and other support for prosecution of financial fraud and identity theft crimes. The funding may not supplant existing funding and may not be used for any purpose other than enforcement of financial fraud and identity theft laws. State funds will match gifts and grants of private sector funds and expenditure of state funds may not exceed expenditure of private funds. The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development is required to appoint a task force in each of the three identified counties with a pilot enforcement area. The task force members are enumerated in the act. The task force in each county is required to provide advice and expertise for the facilitation of prosecutorial efforts to reduce the incidence of financial fraud and identity theft crimes.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY RECOMMENDED SUBSTITUTE AS PASSED COMMITTEE (Judiciary): The sum of one million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, from the General Fund to the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development to be used as matching funds for the purposes of this act.

Appropriation: The original bill did not specify an appropriated amount; but did specify dollars should be appropriated, or as much thereof as may be necessary for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, from the General Fund to the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development to be used as matching funds for the purposes of this act.

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