HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5672

             As Reported By House Committee On:

               Criminal Justice & Corrections

Title:  An act relating to drug‑free zones in public housing projects.

Brief Description:  Authorizing drug‑free zones around public housing authority facilities.

Sponsors:  Senators Strannigan, Franklin, McCaslin, Benton, Wood, Winsley, Horn, Wojahn, Kline, Kohl and Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Criminal Justice & Corrections:  3/26/97, 4/2/97 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 12 members:  Representatives Ballasiotes, Chairman; Benson, Vice Chairman; Koster, Vice Chairman; O'Brien, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Blalock; Cairnes; Delvin; Dickerson; Hickel; Mitchell; Robertson and Sullivan.

Staff:  Pat Shelledy (786-7149).

Background:  Current law declares a number of locations to be drug‑free zones.  In these zones, the penalties for certain drug‑related crimes are doubled.  The locations covered by this law are schools, school bus stops, public parks, public transit vehicles and shelters, and civic centers.

Summary of Bill:  Public housing projects designated by a local governing authority as drug‑free zones are added as a new category to the current list of places where the penalties for ceratin drug‑related crimes are doubled.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  Public housing projects are often targeted by drug dealers.  The presence of drug dealing and other associated illegal activity jeopardizes the safety of the residents and increases the fear of the community within the project. 

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Kim Seavy, Grandview Resident Council (pro); Peter Low, Grandview Resident Council (pro); Cathy Schindler, Housing Authority of Snohomish County (pro); Tracey Nelson, Westpark Resident Council (pro); and Steve Emm, Bremerton Police (pro).