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The halfway point: What's left for lawmakers

By Joseph Turner andsean cockerham | The News Tribune • Published March 18, 2007

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Here's a look at some of the issues the state Legislature is working on or has abandoned as it heads into the final 35 days of its 105-day session with a favorable budget outlook:

Crime and public safety

Ex-convicts: SB 5070 would give inmates more schooling, drug treatment and other tools in the hope they would be less likely to return to a life of crime after they get out of prison. Passed the Senate.

Child sex crimes: SB 5817 would get rid of the statute of limitations for any sex offense against a child younger than 18 years old, letting prosecutors file charges at any time. Died in committee.

Three Strikes, You're Out: SB 5964 would retroactively drop second-degree robbery and second-degree assault from the list of crimes that count as strikes, allowing as many as 27 felons now sentenced to life in prison to get out sooner. The Senate turned it into a study and sent it to the House.

Drug prison: State prison officials want to convert the Airway Heights prison outside Spokane into a so-called therapeutic community where most of the 2,150 inmates would receive drug treatment or sex offender therapy. Part of state budget talks.

Fair share of ex-cons: HB 1733 seeks to spread work-release centers and juvenile offender homes around the state, sparing Pierce and other counties that have more than their share. The bill requires state officials to take into account how many offenders already live in each county and how many were sent to prison by each county, and place them equitably around the state. Passed the House.

Fleeing police: HB 1030 would impose more than one year in prison for people convicted of eluding police if they endanger the lives of others. Passed the House.

Substance abuse: The Pierce County Alliance wants $1 million so it can conduct a pilot project on a drug, Prometa, which is supposed to remove cravings for meth, crack and booze. Part of budget talks.

Prison work-release: The governor is asking for money to expand work-release capacity to house 120 additional inmates in more parts of the state and to build two new state community justice centers. Part of budget talks.