HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2419

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      State Government

Title:  An act relating to law enforcement officers who die in the line of duty.

Brief Description:  Honoring law enforcement officers who die in the line of duty.

Sponsors:  Representatives Riley, Wineberry, Long, Brough, Johanson, Campbell, B. Thomas, L. Thomas, Bray, Wood, Schoesler, Silver, Cothern, Kessler, Kremen, Dyer, Chandler, J. Kohl, Chappell, Jones, Sheldon, King, Orr, Carlson, Tate, Mielke, H. Myers and Roland.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

State Government, February 2, 1994, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Anderson, Chair; Veloria, Vice Chair; Reams, Ranking Minority Member; L. Thomas, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Conway; Dyer; King and Pruitt.

Staff:  Bonnie Austin (786-7135).

Background:  In 1986 the Legislature established a state medal of merit to be awarded by the Governor to any person who has demonstrated "exceptionally meritorious conduct in performing outstanding services to the people and state of Washington."  The medal of merit is the official decoration of the state of Washington.

The Medal of Merit Committee consists of the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of State, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.  Nominations are solicited from the public.  From 1986 to 1993, the medal of honor was awarded to 12 recipients, but none of the recipients were law enforcement officers.

Summary of Bill:  A State Law Enforcement Medal of Honor is established.  The bronze medal is to be awarded by the Governor to any law enforcement officer who has been seriously injured or killed in the line of duty or who has been distinguished by exceptionally meritorious conduct. 

A nominating committee is established consisting of representation from the following entities:  the Governor's Office; the Washington State Law Enforcement Association; the Washington State Council of Police Officers; the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs; and the Washington State Troopers Association.  The Attorney General will chair the committee and will designate a secretary.  The committee will meet no less than every six months to consider candidates for nomination.  The committee will adopt rules establishing nominee qualifications and protocol governing decoration.

Fiscal Note:  Requested January 25, 1994.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  None.