AWC Legislative Bulletin - Volume 30, No. 14
April 6, 2007  (Plain Text Version)

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In this issue:
What You Need to Know Now
From the Director: Legislative Activity Shifts to Floor Action
Energy & Telecommunications
Environment & Water
General Local Government
Infrastructure, Transportation & Economic Development
Land Use & Housing
Law & Justice
Municipal Finance
Personnel & Labor Relations
Online Legislative Advocacy Tools
AWC Legislative Contacts & Officers

Law & Justice

Basic Law Enforcement Academies

In last week’s Bulletin it was noted that AWC supports the Governor’s request of an additional $3.464 million in the operating budget (HB 1128) to provide more Basic Law Enforcement Academies. AWC has expressed our support of the Governor’s proposal to the House and Senate budget writers.

Cities are encouraged to contact both their representatives and senators and encourage their support of the Governor’s funding request. This money will help reduce the waiting list for law enforcement officers to attend this required training before they may be commissioned as an officer.

Auto Theft (E3SHB 1001)

E3SHB 1001, an act relating to enhancing penalties for auto theft and creating an auto theft authority to provide assistance for regional efforts to combat these crimes, passed the Senate with a vote of 47-0 on April 4. The bill was amended to require the account funded with the $10 traffic infraction surcharge to be appropriated and to take out provisions that created a new crime of taking a motor vehicle without permission in the third degree. The bill will need to go back to the House for concurrence and we expect the House to concur. AWC is pleased to continue to support this important piece of legislation.

Eluding Police (ESHB 1030)

This bill did not pass out of the Senate Ways & Means Committee before the cut-off earlier this week. However, we are still holding out hope that the bill may be revived. A striking amendment was approved in the Senate Judiciary Committee changing the special allegation enhancing the penalty for crimes involving eluding police to a new felony crime of attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle in the first degree.

Gang-Related Crimes (SSB 5987)

This bill, which would establish a statewide work group to develop common definitions and goals to address gang-related crimes, passed the House on April 3. The Senate is expected to concur with the House amendments. The work group will be convened by the Washington State Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs and will include representatives from local law enforcement and municipal attorneys, who will be appointed by the Legislature. This bill will be a positive step in addressing the problem of gangs in many communities.

Indigent Defense Grants (HB 1793)

HB 1793 passed the Senate unanimously on April 3 and is headed to the Governor for signature. This bill removing the cap on the number of city grants is needed because the Office of Public Defense believes that even a small grant can be helpful to some communities. In addition, OPD is expecting additional funding for improvement of public defense, an increase of $7.5 million in the current Senate proposed budget in addition to the $6 million funding level approved last biennium, of which 10 percent goes to grants for cities.

Wrongful Injury or Death of a Child Causes of Action (ESHB 1873)

ESHB 1873 did not pass out of the Senate Judiciary Committee before the policy cut-off on March 30. AWC testified against the bill in the committee, and we are hopeful that this bill expanding the scope of liability for these causes of action can be considered dead for the session. However, we are continuing to watch this bill to make sure it stays in committee.

Court Interpreter Services (E2SHB 2176)

While E2SHB 2176 did not pass out of the Senate Ways & Means Committee before the cut-off earlier this week, we expect the Senate $3.5 million funding level to be approved to be included in the final version of the budget. We also expect the final budget to include language that will provide funding for the Administrative Office of the Courts to provide assistance in developing language plans and allowing all levels of courts to receive state assistance for interpreter services if they have an approved language assistance plan.

Other Bills of Interest That Passed This Week