SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1339

BYHouse Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives H. Sommers, Armstrong, Baugher, Padden, Silver, Lewis, Sanders, Kremen, Braddock, Heavey, Zellinsky, Betrozoff, Peery, Bristow, Crane, Holm and K. Wilson) 

Increasing penalties for the illegal transfer of food stamps.

House Committe on Judiciary

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 26, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Pullen, Chairman; Halsan, Hayner, Madsen, Nelson, Newhouse, Niemi.

Senate Staff:Ben Barnes (786-7465)

                  February 26, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, FEBRUARY 26, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Washington law states that any person who resells food stamps or food purchased with food stamps, and any person who knowingly purchases such resold stamps or food, is guilty of a crime.

The crime is considered a gross misdemeanor if the face value of the transferred stamps or food is one hundred dollars or more.  The maximum punishment for a gross misdemeanor is imprisonment for one year and a fine of five thousand dollars.

The crime is considered a misdemeanor if the face value of the transferred stamps or food is less than one hundred dollars.  The maximum punishment for a misdemeanor is imprisonment for ninety days and a fine of one thousand dollars.

SUMMARY:

A person who sells food stamps, or food purchased with food stamps, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor if the face value of the food stamps or food is one hundred dollars or more. If the face value of the food stamps or food is less than one hundred dollars the crime is classified as a misdemeanor.

The punishment is increased for those who purchase, or who otherwise acquire and sell, food stamps which were issued to another person. The crime is considered a class C felony if the face value of the transferred stamps is one hundred dollars or more.  The maximum punishment for a class C felony is imprisonment for five years and a fine of ten thousand dollars.  On the sentencing grid this is a seriousness level I crime.  For a first time offender, convicted of a level I crime, the sentencing guidelines provide for a presumptive sentence of zero to sixty days. 

The crime of trafficking in food stamps is considered a gross misdemeanor if the face value of the coupons is $100 or less.

A person who presents food stamps for redemption knowing the same to have been received, transferred, or used in any manner in violation of federal law is guilty of a class C felony.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: No one