HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1217

                       As Passed House

                        March 8, 1993

Title:  An act relating to providing seized liquor for training and investigations.

Brief Description:  Allowing seized liquor to be used for training and investigations.

Sponsors:  Representatives Springer, Heavey, Chandler, King and Shin; by request of Liquor Control Board.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Commerce & Labor, February 9, 1993, DP;

  Passed House, March 8, 1993, 97-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Heavey, Chair; G. Cole, Vice Chair; Lisk, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Conway; Horn; King; Springer; and Veloria.

Staff:  Jim Kelley (786-7166).

Background:  When liquor is seized pursuant to a warrant by a local law enforcement agency or the Washington State Patrol, the entity must report the seizure to the Liquor Control Board and deliver the liquor to the board.  Law enforcement agencies must store the liquor until a board enforcement officer is available to receive it.

The board has been asked by law enforcement agencies to aid them by providing alcoholic beverages for breathalyzer training programs.  However, the board has not done so because it has no statutory authority to provide liquor to law enforcement agencies for training.

Summary of Bill:  Law enforcement agencies are required to dispose of liquor seized pursuant to a search warrant or an arrest.

The board may provide liquor at no charge, including seized or forfeited liquor, to recognized law enforcement agencies for training or investigation purposes.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  Police agencies have to dispose of seized liquor through the board.  If they are in remote areas, this can cause a crowding problem in their property rooms.  Also, some police agencies cannot afford to purchase the liquor needed for breathalyzer training and sting operations.  This bill would solve that problem by allowing the board to provide the liquor.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Carter Mitchell, Liquor Control Board (in favor).