ADVISORY: Hearings scheduled on criminal gang bills
The House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a hearing for this Thursday, Jan. 14, at 10 a.m. in Olympia to accept public testimony on two major criminal gang bills sponsored by 14th District Reps. Norm Johnson and Charles Ross.
House Bill 2413 would allow houses, cars and other assets used to support criminal gang activity to be seized by law enforcement and sold to support further enforcement against gangs. The measure is similar to the drug asset seizure law.
House Bill 2414 would classify criminal gang activity as a nuisance and provide a process for neighbors or anyone within a one-block radius to file legal action to stop that activity.
Both Johnson, R-Yakima, and Ross, R-Naches, say criminal gang activity has become prevalent and increasingly dangerous in neighborhoods throughout the 14th District. They noted these and other bills they will offer during the 2010 session would provide important tools for both law enforcement and citizens to fight the spread of criminal gang activity in local communities and across the state.
WHAT: Public hearing on House Bills 2413 and 2414
WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 14, 10 a.m.
WHERE: House Judiciary Committee — House Hearing Room A; John L. O'Brien Building, Olympia, WA
To learn how to testify before a committee, go to: http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature/Pages/Testify.aspx.
For more information, contact: Rep. Norm Johnson at (360) 786-7810 or Rep. Charles Ross at (360) 786-7856.
MEDIA CONTACT:
John Sattgast, Senior Information Officer to Rep. Johnson: (360) 786-7257
Sarah Lamb, Public Information Officer to Rep. Ross: (360) 786-7720
