Unclaimed property legislation Goodman’s first to pass House

February 5, 2007

OLYMPIA – Legislation to allow law enforcement agencies to donate lost and stolen property to charity today passed the House. It marked Rep. Roger Goodman’s (D-Kirkland) first bill to pass the body since becoming a legislator this year.

“Allowing law enforcement to give unclaimed and stolen property to charities should have happened decades ago,” Goodman said, “so it’s an honor working to make it law this session.”

Current law allows only toys and bicycles to be donated to charities from law enforcement’s lost and stolen property lockers, but no other types of personal property may be donated. Goodman’s legislation (HB 1268) will allow local police, county sheriffs and the Washington State Patrol to donate any type of personal property to charities, whether it is clothing, books, diapers or other useful items.

The idea began three years ago with Rep. Judy Clibborn, when a Mercer Island evidence technician raised the issue. In the last two years it passed the House, but not the Senate.

“People support this because it doesn’t cost taxpayers and it frees up our law enforcement to help needy families across the state,” Goodman said, “so the important piece will be making sure the Senate also makes it a priority.”

HB 1268 now awaits direction from the Senate where it must be approved before Gov. Gregoire can sign it into law.

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Staff contact - Andrew Dziedzic, (360) 786-7218

HB 1268 http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/Summary.aspx?bill=1268&year=2007

Radio and TV News Directors: To obtain broadcast-quality audio on this issue, or to arrange for TV or radio interviews, please contact Caucus Broadcast Coordinator Dan Frizzell at frizzell.dan@leg.wa.gov or 360.786.7208.