Brief Description: Revising method for making distributions under the municipal criminal justice assistance account.

Sponsors: Representatives O'Brien, Mielke and Darneille; by request of Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development.

Hearing Date: 2/19/03

Staff: Holly Lynde (786-7153).

Background:

Beginning in FY 2000, the Legislature established a $4.6 million transfer from the General Fund-State to the Municipal Criminal Justice Assistance Account to support local governments' essential public safety functions. The State Treasurer distributes 36% of this funding on a per capita basis for criminal justice purposes. The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (CTED) distributes the remaining 64% and develops the formula and application process under which the funding is allocated.

In 2001, 220 cities and towns applied for the funding that is distributed through CTED. Funding is distributed to qualified applicants based on the following criteria:

•    14% to cities that have initiated innovative law enforcement strategies;

•    20% to cities that have initiated programs to help at-risk children or child abuse victim response programs;

•    20% to cities that have initiated programs to reduce the level of domestic violence within their jurisdiction or to provide counseling to domestic violence victims; and

•    10% to cities that contract with another governmental agency for a majority of the city's law enforcement services.

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If a city or town is found to be using its share of funding for purposes other than for which it was intended, the money must be repaid or the noncomplying use of the funding must be satisfactorily justified. However, if a city or town adequately demonstrates hardship or other emergent need, the director of CTED may authorize the use of the funding for noncomplying purposes.

Summary of Bill:

The methodology by which CTED distributes its portion of the Municipal Criminal Justice Assistance Account funding is modified. Funding will be distributed as follows:

•    10% on a per capita basis to cities that contract with another governmental agency for the majority of the city's law enforcement services. A city or town must notify CTED by letter if it qualifies for this distribution; and

•    54% on a per capita basis to cities and towns that initiate innovative law enforcement strategies, create programs to assist at-risk children or child abuse victim response programs, create programs designed to reduce the level of domestic violence or to provide counseling for domestic violence victims, and contract with another governmental agency for law enforcement services.

The director of CTED may no longer authorize noncomplying uses of the funds. Additionally, CTED is no longer required to adopt allocation criteria, nor is it required to create a temporary committee to provide advice on developing the criteria.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.