BILL ANALYSIS

HB 1403

TITLE OF THE BILL:  Providing financial assistance to local governments for investigating extraordinary crimes.

WHAT THIS BILL DOES: Authorizes the Attorney General to financially assist local governments investigating extraordinary crimes.

SPONSORS:  Representatives Sheahan and Schindler

HEARING DATE:   Thursday, February 11, 1999

FISCAL NOTE:  Requested February 10, 1999

ANALYSIS PREPARED BY:  Caroleen Dineen (786-7156)

BACKGROUND:

The Washington Attorney General represents the state in all cases in which the state is interested and prosecutes and defends cases on the state=s behalf.  In certain circumstances and upon request of the Governor, the Attorney General may investigate crimes and assume criminal prosecution responsibilities from county prosecuting attorneys.

State statutes specify activities which constitute crimes and categorizes such activities into various classifications of crimes.  Local governments establish local law enforcement agencies (e.g., county sheriff and city police) to provide law enforcement and to investigate crimes.

SUMMARY:

Upon written request, the Attorney General is authorized to provide financial assistance to a local law enforcement agency for the investigation of extraordinary crimes.  The financial assistance may include reimbursement of local law enforcement officers= salaries incurred in extraordinary crimes investigations.    This financial assistance from the Attorney General is subject to available funds.

In reviewing a request for assistance, the Attorney General may consider factors such as the nature of the crime, the cost of the investigation, and the local law enforcement agency=s ability to carry the investigation costs.