HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1783
As Reported by House Committee On:
Postsecondary Education & Workforce
Title: An act relating to law enforcement officers participating in college and technical school programs.
Brief Description: Concerning law enforcement officers participating in college and technical school programs.
Sponsors: Representatives Mendoza, Springer, Corry, Dufault, Jacobsen, Manjarrez, Orcutt, Dent, Walen, Connors, Schmidt, Barnard, McClintock, Eslick, Klicker, Ley, Barkis, Engell and Davis.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Postsecondary Education & Workforce: 2/11/25, 2/19/25 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Allows a law enforcement officer to receive gifts of appreciation from an institution of higher education for delivering presentations as part of specified criminal justice courses without violating the prohibition on state officers receiving anything of economic value outside official duties.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION & WORKFORCE
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by 13 members:Representatives Paul, Chair; Nance, Vice Chair; Ybarra, Ranking Minority Member; McEntire, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Entenman, Keaton, Leavitt, Ley, Mendoza, Rude, Salahuddin, Schmidt and Timmons.
Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by 1 member:Representative Thomas.
Minority Report: Without recommendation.Signed by 3 members:Representatives Graham, Pollet and Reed.
Staff: Elizabeth Allison (786-7129).
Background:

A state officer or employee is prohibited from receiving anything of economic value under any contract or grant outside of official duties unless certain conditions are met:

  • The contract or grant is bona fide and actually performed.
  • The performance or administration of the contract or grant is not within the course of the officer or employee's official duties or official supervision.
  • The performance or administration of the contract or grant is not prohibited by other laws or rules.
  • The contract or grant is not performed for or compensated by a person from whom the officer or employee would be prohibited from receiving a gift under state law.
  • The contract or grant is not one expressly created or authorized by the officer or employee in his or her official capacity.
  • The contract or grant would not require unauthorized disclosure of confidential information.

 

A state officer or employee may have beneficial interests in contracts if certain specified conditions are met.
Summary of Substitute Bill:

Law enforcement officers may receive gifts of appreciation associated with an institution of higher education for delivering presentations as part of a criminal justice associate, law enforcement, police science, financial forensics and fraud, or forensic science and technology course without violating the prohibition on state officers or employees receiving anything of economic value outside of performing official duties.  The gift may not exceed $25 in value per individual.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill removes the option for law enforcement officers who deliver criminal justice presentations at institutions of higher education to receive honoraria and instead allows them to receive gifts of appreciation associated with the institution valued up to $25.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill brings entities together to strengthen and build relationships.  It encourages off-duty officers to share their real life expertise with young people considering law enforcement.  Washington ranks lowest for the number of law enforcement officers.  This needs to change.  Criminal justice instructors have difficulty enticing law enforcement officers to speak to students.  State law prohibits colleges from authorizing a gift of even a college sweatshirt or coffee card to incentivize officers.  This bill would allow colleges and schools to offer off-duty officers something for speaking at schools and engaging students about careers in law enforcement.  It also strengthens the relationship between officers and students.  Sometimes officers are able to speak while on-duty, but this is not always the case.  Honorarium is just a thank you.

 

(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying:

Representative Gloria Mendoza, prime sponsor; and Kal Fuller.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.