HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2341

BYRepresentatives R. Meyers, Schmidt, Zellinsky, Jones, Rector, Baugher, Hargrove, Basich, Jesernig, Winsley, Schoon and Kirby

Creating a felony for tampering with fire fighting equipment with the intent to commit a felony.

House Committe on Judiciary

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (15)

      Signed by Representatives Appelwick, Chair; Crane, Vice Chair; Padden, Ranking Republican Member; Dellwo, Forner, Hargrove, Inslee, P. King, R. Meyers, Moyer, H. Myers, Scott, D. Sommers, Tate and Wineberry.

House Staff:Regina Jones (786-7191)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 12, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Chapter 9.40 RCW governs certain crimes relating to fire.  Under this chapter, it is a misdemeanor to willfully and without cause tamper with or break any public or private fire alarm or fire fighting equipment.  It is also a misdemeanor to willfully and without having reasonable grounds to believe a fire exists, sound a false alarm of fire.

SUMMARY:

It is a felony to willfully and without cause tamper with, molest, injure or break any public or private fire alarm equipment, wire or signal, or any fire fighting equipment with the intent to commit arson.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Gordon Walgren, Washington Fire Sprinkler Systems; and Auto Jensen, Washington Association of Fire Chiefs.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Many are concerned about fire safety.  An arsonist may tamper with fire safety equipment in the commission of a crime.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.