SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5547

BYSenate Committee on Health Care & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Smith and West)

Regarding payment of jail processing costs by criminal defendants.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 24, 1990; January 26, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Nelson, Chairman; McCaslin, Vice Chairman; Hayner, Madsen, Newhouse, Patrick, Rasmussen, Talmadge, Thorsness.

Senate Staff:Ben Barnes (786-7465)

                  January 26, 1990

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 5, 1990; February 6, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Bailey, Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Fleming, Gaspard, Hayner, Johnson, Lee, Moore, Newhouse, Saling, Smith, Talmadge, Warnke, Williams, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Randy Hodgins (786-7715)

                  February 13, 1990

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 12, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Persons convicted of a crime are not liable for expenses that the counties and cities incur in processing them into and out of jail.  Cities and counties bear the cost. 

SUMMARY:

Convicted offenders must pay their jail processing costs when the court finds that they are capable or will be capable of paying costs.  The court must consider the financial resources of the defendant and the nature of the burden that payment of costs may impose.  The money collected reimburses the city or county for costs incurred in processing the defendant.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:July 1, 1990

Senate Committee - Testified: LAW & JUSTICE:  Robert Songer, Clark County Sheriff's Department

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  No one