FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 1388

                         C 349 L 99

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Clarifying the state's jurisdiction over crimes committed in the airspace over the state.

Sponsors:  Representatives Keiser, Ballasiotes, Schual‑Berke, Mitchell, Hurst, O'Brien, Lovick and Delvin.

House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections

Senate Committee on Judiciary

Background:

Under Washington's Criminal Code, a person may be prosecuted in Washington if he or she commits any crime in this state, commits any crime outside of Washington, such as theft, and is found with the stolen property in this state, or while out of state aids, counsels, or causes another person to commit a crime in Washington.  The state's criminal jurisdiction is also extended to hold persons liable for punishment when they are outside of Washington but commit such crimes as:  abducting or kidnaping by force or fraud another person and bringing or sending that person to Washington; criminal activity which affects any person or property within Washington, if the conduct would be a crime in Washington if committed here; or making a sworn statement, verification, or declaration which would be prosecuted as perjury.

The state's criminal jurisdiction does not include person committing crimes onboard a vehicle (i.e. plane or vessels) traveling through or within Washington.

Summary:

The state's criminal jurisdiction is expanded to include holding a person liable for punishment if that person commits any act on board any vehicle within Washington, including airplanes flying over the state of Washington, that subsequently have to land, dock, or stop within the state, and the act, if committed within the state, would be a crime.

Votes on Final Passage:

House970

Senate470

Effective:July 25, 1999