Attorney General’s public safety, consumer protection and open government bills scheduled for public hearings this week

OLYMPIA—Four bills requested by Attorney General Rob McKenna are scheduled for public hearings this week.

• Improving public access to records by reducing abusive Prisoner requests

The Senate Human Services and Corrections Committee will hold a hearing on SB 5130 at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, in the Cherberg Building, Senate Hearing Room 1. The House’s version of the bill, HB 1181, is scheduled for an executive session in the House State Government and Tribal Affairs Committee on Thursday at 8:00 a.m. in the John L. O’Brien building, House Hearing Room D.

If passed, SB 5130/HB 1181 will allow respondents to public records requests to request an injunction if a request by an inmate is proven to be intended to harass or cause harm to a person or vital government function.

SB 5130 is sponsored by Sen. Mike Carrell, R-Lakewood, Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam and others. HB 1181 sponsored by Rep. Charles Ross, R-Naches, Rep. Marko Liias, D-Mukilteo and others.

• Civil commitment victims' counseling

The House Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee will hold a hearing on HB 1221 at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27 in the John L. O'Brien Building, House Hearing Room E. The Senate Human Services and Corrections Committee will hold a hearing on SB 5209 at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, in the Cherberg Building, Senate Hearing Room 1.

If enacted, SB 5209/HB 1221 will compensate out-of-state victims for counseling related to being notified, interviewed, deposed, or testifying in connection with civil commitment trials for sexually violent predators.

SB 5209 is sponsored by Sen. Debbie Regala, D-Tacoma, Sen. Janea Holmquist, R-Moses Lake, and others. HB 1221 is sponsored by Rep. Marcie Maxwell, D-Renton, Rep. Christopher Hurst, D-Greenwater, and others.

• Youth Internet Safety Task Force

The House Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee will hold a hearing on HB 1248 at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27 in the John L. O'Brien Building, House Hearing Room E.

SB 5184/HB1248 authorizes a study of the feasibility of developing a digital forensics lab to be housed at the State Patrol.

HB 1248 is sponsored by Rep. Al O'Brien, D-Enumclaw, Rep. Mark Ericks, D-Bothell, and others. SB 5184 is sponsored by Sen. Dale Brandland, R-Bellingham, Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens and others.

• Tobacco Internet Sales

The Senate Human Services and Corrections Committee will hold a hearing on SB 5340 at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29 in the Cherberg Building, Hearing Room 4.

SB 5340/HB 1249 bans the sale of cigarettes over the Internet.

SB 5340 is sponsored by Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, Sen. Debbi Regala, D-Tacoma, and others.

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Contacts:

Janelle Guthrie, AGO Communications Director, (360) 586-0725