READ FIRST TIME 03/04/03.   

     AN ACT Relating to the tribal law enforcement officers act of 2003; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The house criminal justice and corrections committee and the senate judiciary committee shall study:
     (a) The jurisdiction of tribal, state, and local law enforcement officers over tribal and nontribal persons on tribal lands; and
     (b) The extension of general authority peace officer powers to tribal law enforcement officers and the effect that the extension would have on tribal and nontribal persons, including nontribal persons occupying land held in fee simple within the boundaries of tribal lands.
     (2) When conducting the study under subsection (1) of this section, the house criminal justice and corrections committee and the senate judiciary committee shall consult with the following:
     (a) The twenty-nine federally recognized tribes in Washington;
     (b) Tribal law enforcement;
     (c) Prosecuting attorneys;
     (d) Defense attorneys;
     (e) Local sheriffs or police chiefs;
     (f) Nontribal persons occupying land held in fee simple within the boundaries of tribal land; and
     (g) Other persons with expertise in relations between the state and the tribes as the committees deem necessary.
     (3) The house criminal justice and corrections committee and the senate judiciary committee shall report their findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the governor and the legislature no later than December 1, 2003.
     (4) This section expires March 31, 2004.