House Passes Community Corrections Supervision Bill on Narrow 51-45 Margin

The House tonight passed a much improved but still troubling ESSB 5288 that lowers supervision of low- and moderate-risk offenders.

The bill passed on a narrow, 51-45 vote.

The bill had been amended to preserve several important parts of supervision of sex offenders and in cases of domestic violence. And a study will determine if it is effective, if it becomes law.

ESSB 5288 now goes back to the Senate for concurrence on the House amendments, so it’s not a done deal yet.

In floor debate, supporters and opponents alike praised Community Corrections officers.

But opponents said ESSB 5288 would harm public safety—exactly what the Federation and Community Corrections members have said all along.

“Let’s not balance the budget on the backs of victims,” said Rep. Kirk Pearson of the 39th District. He cited the plea made by Maranda Hannah, the mother of a recent murder victim, who last month held a press conference at Federation headquarters to publicly oppose the bill.

Rep. Ed Orcutt of the 18th District debunked claims that ESSB 5288 will save money. It will simply shift costs to local governments who will have to deal with the unsupervised low- and moderate-risk offenders reoffending, he said.

ALSO:

• The governor on Tuesday signed into law SHB 1953, the bill allowing Fish and Wildlife enforcement officers to transfer retirement service credit from PERS 2 and PERS 3 to LEOFF 2. On hand were Federation Local 881 Secretary Alan Thomas and Federation lobbyists Matt Zuvich, Alia Griffing and Dennis Eagle.

• The generic drug bill, ESHB 5892, passed the House Tuesday, 54-43. It now goes back to the Senate for concurrence on amendments.