SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6487

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Judiciary, February 7, 2002

Title:  An act relating to establishing the authority to create and operate regional jails.

Brief Description:  Establishing the authority to create and operate regional jails.

Sponsors:  Senators Costa, McCaslin, Roach, Long, Winsley and Kohl‑Welles.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Judiciary:  1/28/02, 2/7/02 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Kline, Chair; Kastama, Vice Chair; Costa, Hargrove, Johnson, Long, McCaslin, Poulsen, Thibaudeau and Zarelli.

Staff:  Aldo Melchiori (786‑7439)

Background: Counties, cities and towns may acquire, build, operate, and maintain holding, detention, special detention, and correctional facilities within their county territorial limits. Persons convicted of an offense punishable by incarceration in a city or county jail may be confined in the jail of other cities or counties pursuant to a contract for jail services.  Contracts for jail services may be made between a county and a city located within that county or between counties.

Summary of Bill:  Two or more local governments may create and operate regional jails. Regional jails may be governed by representatives from multiple jurisdictions in compliance with the interlocal cooperation act. Counties and cities may still contract for jail services.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Local jails are overcrowded and getting more expensive to operate.  Regional jails have the potential to save money.  Other states are doing this effectively.  Interlocal agreements are limited in scope and too easily changed.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Larry Erickson, Washington Assn. of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (pro).