H-1073.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 1403

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Representatives Sheahan, Schindler, McDonald and Lantz

Read first time 01/25/1999.  Referred to Committee on Local Government.

Providing financial assistance to local governments for investigating extraordinary crimes.

    AN ACT Relating to financial assistance to cities, towns, and counties for the investigation of extraordinary crimes; and amending RCW 43.10.232.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

    Sec. 1.  RCW 43.10.232 and 1986 c 257 s 16 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) The attorney general shall have concurrent authority and power with the prosecuting attorneys to investigate crimes and initiate and conduct prosecutions upon the request of or with the concurrence of any of the following:

    (a) The county prosecuting attorney of the jurisdiction in which the offense has occurred;

    (b) The governor of the state of Washington; or

    (c) A majority of the committee charged with the oversight of the organized crime intelligence unit.

    (2) Such request or concurrence shall be communicated in writing to the attorney general.

    (3) Prior to any prosecution by the attorney general under this section, the attorney general and the county in which the offense occurred shall reach an agreement regarding the payment of all costs, including expert witness fees, and defense attorneys' fees associated with any such prosecution.

(4) Subject to available funds and upon written request by a city, town, or county law enforcement agency, the attorney general may provide financial assistance to the law enforcement agency for the investigation of extraordinary crimes.  Financial assistance may include reimbursement of law enforcement officers' salaries incurred in investigating extraordinary crimes.  In determining whether reimbursement is warranted, the attorney general may consider such factors as the nature of the crime, the cost of the investigation, and the particular agency's ability to carry the cost of investigating the extraordinary crime.

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