HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2386
As Reported by House Committee On:
Transportation
Title: An act relating to off-duty traffic control provided by Washington state patrol officers.
Brief Description: Addressing off-duty traffic control provided by Washington state patrol officers.
Sponsors: Representatives Hutchins, Timmons, Robertson, Donaghy, Low, Paul, Barkis, Lekanoff, Caldier, Couture, Shavers and Rule.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Transportation: 1/24/24, 2/5/24 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Authorizes Washington State Patrol (WSP) officers to use WSP vehicles when engaged in off-duty uniformed employment providing traffic control services to the Washington State Department of Transportation and other state agencies, subject to guidelines adopted by the Chief of the WSP. 
  • Requires that the WSP must be reimbursed for the use of the vehicle at the prevailing rate for state employee rate for mileage and hours of usage.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by 29 members:Representatives Fey, Chair; Donaghy, Vice Chair; Paul, Vice Chair; Timmons, Vice Chair; Barkis, Ranking Minority Member; Hutchins, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Low, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Robertson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Berry, Bronoske, Chapman, Cortes, Dent, Doglio, Duerr, Entenman, Goehner, Griffey, Hackney, Klicker, Mena, Nance, Orcutt, Ramel, Ramos, Schmidt, Volz, Walsh and Wylie.
Staff: Beth Redfield (786-7140).
Background:

Generally, no state employee or officer may use any person, money, or property under their official control or direction for private benefit or gain.

 

Washington State Patrol (WSP) officers may engage in private law enforcement off-duty employment in uniform or in plainclothes, for private benefit, under guidelines adopted by the Chief of the WSP.  Use of their uniforms is considered to be a de minimis use of state property.

 

The 2023-25 Omnibus Transportation Budget authorizes WSP officers engaged in off-duty uniformed employment providing traffic control services to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and other state agencies to use WSP vehicles for the purposes of the employment, subject to guidelines adopted by the Chief of the WSP.  The WSP must be reimbursed for the use of the vehicle at the prevailing rate for state employee rate for mileage and hours of usage.
Summary of Bill:

Washington State Patrol officers may use WSP vehicles when engaged in off-duty uniformed employment providing traffic control services to the WSDOT and other state agencies, subject to guidelines adopted by the Chief of the WSP.  The WSP must be reimbursed for the use of the vehicle at the prevailing rate for state employee rate for mileage and hours of usage.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill is a housekeeping item, taking the authorization out of the budget and enshrining it in statute on an ongoing basis.

 

(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying:

Representative Spencer Hutchins, prime sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.