Legislative Tracker

By Rep. Kirk Pearson

The people’s House has been working extremely hard this week. In my last legislative update I told you about the key deadlines in the Legislature, the next major deadline is Feb. 16. From now until then lawmakers will be working late nights to debate bills. Here is an update on the week of Feb. 1 in Olympia:

Public safety bills moving:  Several serious incidents occurred last year: The escape of a dangerous mentally ill offender from Eastern State Hospital, four Lakewood police officers were murdered and a police officer received life altering injuries saving the life of a stranger. The House passed several bills this week to not only close loopholes in the laws to better protect the public, but also to make sure our brave men and women, and their families, are taken care of should they be injured or killed in the line of duty:

House Bill 2625 – Would allow judges leeway to determine whether bail is appropriate for offenders arrested and in custody on felony charges.

House Bill 1203 – Would increase penalties for rendering criminal assistance.

House Bill 2422 – Would expand and clarify the list of state and local agencies and private individuals that must be notified when a felon committed to a mental health facility escapes or disappears.

House Bill 1679 – Would increase benefits for law enforcement officers and firefighters who are injured on the job and suffer permanent disabilities.

House Bill 2519 – Would enhance death benefits for the survivors of law enforcement officers who are killed in the line of duty.

All of these bills will now be forwarded to the Senate for consideration.

House Bill 2533 – Interstate Compact on Mentally Ill Offenders: I introduced this bill to address an issue that arose locally. The bill would allow Washington state to return a mentally ill offender, upon the request of another state, to the state where they are required to receive mental health treatment as part of the conditions of release from police custody. This bill is currently in the House Rules Committee awaiting a vote in the House.

House Bill 2424 – Child exploitation: This bill is also awaiting a vote in the House. I co-sponsored this bill because our laws need to be updated to reflect the growing use of the Internet to view and pass along photos and other materials depicting minor children in sexually explicit manners. By updating the laws, Washington can more effectively prosecute those viewing and participating in heinous crimes against children.

House Bill 2427 – Repeat domestic abusers: I introduced this measure to ensure repeat domestic abusers are given the sentences they have earned. The bill would allow for longer sentences for those abusers who have a pattern of violent assault on partners and family members. The goal of this bill is to allow the victims of repeated domestic violence time to rebuild their lives without fear. As of this week, the bill is still moving through the process.

Next week, I will update you on the status of bills addressing the budget, including tax and fee increases. In the meantime, please contact me with questions and concerns.

The 2010 legislative session began Jan. 11 and is scheduled to adjourn March 11, also called “sine die.”

I welcome your thoughts on these and other issues. My door is always open and I can be reached by phone at (360) 786-7816 or by e-mail. I look forward to working with you.

Rep. Kirk Pearson is the Republican leader on the House Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee. He represents Western Washington’s 39th Legislative District.