SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5270

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Law & Justice, February 9, 2015

Title: An act relating to sunsetting a nonoperating advisory board reporting to the state patrol.

Brief Description: Concerning a nonoperating advisory board reporting to the state patrol.

Sponsors: Senators Roach, Liias and Benton; by request of Washington State Patrol.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Law & Justice: 1/22/15, 2/09/15 [DP].

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Padden, Chair; O'Ban, Vice Chair; Pedersen, Ranking Minority Member; Darneille, Kohl-Welles, Pearson and Roach.

Staff: Aldo Melchiori (786-7439)

Background: The Missing & Exploited Children Task Force (MECTF) is a multi-agency task force, under the direction of the Washington State Patrol (WSP), focused on identifying, arresting, and convicting those individuals who exploit children. Crimes investigated by MECTF include communication with a minor for immoral purposes; sexual exploitation of a minor; possession of depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct; and dealing in depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

MECTF is available to provide on-site assistance, case management, and training; works closely with federal, state, and local agencies to accomplish its mission; and is available to assist agencies that do not have the resources or training necessary to investigate crimes against children. An advisory board for MECTF was established in 1999. The 12-member advisory board is comprised of state, federal, and local officials who advise the Chief of WSP on the management and coordination of the various activities of MECTF.

The Legislature may schedule a program or agency to be terminated under the sunset review process. Alternatively a program can be terminated without a sunset review when it has accomplished its purposes.

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) conducts a review of the program or agency and provides a preliminary report to the Office of Financial Management during the year prior to the termination date. Entities scheduled to sunset must establish performance measures and develop a data collection plan subject to review and comment by JLARC. The Sunset Act establishes factors that must be considered by JLARC when conducting its review of the entity. If an entity is terminated under the sunset review process, it continues its existence until June 30 of the next succeeding year in order to conclude its business.

Summary of Bill: The advisory board for MECTF is terminated.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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: This is just a housekeeping measure. It is in no way intended to diminish the important work of MECTF.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Roach, prime sponsor; Rob Huss, WSP.