SENATE BILL REPORT

                            HB 2419

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, FEBRUARY 23, 1994

Brief Description:  Honoring law enforcement officers who die in the line of duty.

SPONSORS: Representatives Riley, Wineberry, Long, Brough, Johanson, Campbell, B. Thomas, L. Thomas, Bray, Wood, Schoesler, Silver, Cothern, Kessler, Kremen, Dyer, Chandler, J. Kohl, Chappell, Jones, Sheldon, King, Orr, Carlson, Tate, Mielke, H. Myers and Roland

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators A. Smith, Chairman; Ludwig, Vice Chairman; Hargrove, Nelson, Quigley, Roach, Schow and Spanel.

Staff:  Dick Armstrong (786‑7460)

Hearing Dates: February 23, 1994

BACKGROUND:

In 1986 the Legislature established a state medal of merit to be awarded by the Governor to any person who has demonstrated "exceptionally meritorious conduct in performing outstanding services to the people and state of Washington."  The medal of merit is the official decoration of the state of Washington.

The Medal of Merit Committee consists of the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of State, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.  Nominations are solicited from the public.  From 1986 to 1993, the medal of honor was awarded to 12 recipients, but none of the recipients were law enforcement officers.

SUMMARY:

A State Law Enforcement Medal of Honor is established.  The bronze medal is to be awarded by the Governor to any law enforcement officer who has been seriously injured or killed in the line of duty or who has been distinguished by exceptionally meritorious conduct. 

A nominating committee is established consisting of representation from the following entities:  the Governor's Office; the Washington State Law Enforcement Association; the Washington State Council of Police Officers; the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs; and the Washington State Troopers Association.  The Attorney General will chair the committee and will designate a secretary.  The committee will meet no less than every six months to consider candidates for nomination.  The committee will adopt rules establishing nominee qualifications and protocol governing decoration.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 25, 1994

TESTIMONY FOR:

Law enforcement officers are engaged in dangerous activities on a daily basis and a medal of honor would have significant impact on law enforcement officials and their families.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Representative Riley, prime sponsor (pro); Ken Johnson, deputy sheriff (pro)