March 7, 2007

Ross anti-stalking measure wins unanimous House approval
House Bill 2170 is Yakima Valley lawmaker's first public safety bill passed

One of the many public safety measures introduced by Rep. Charles Ross received a unanimous vote of support today in the House of Representatives. House Bill 2170 would add law enforcement agency employees, contract staff, and volunteers to the list of people covered by the state's law against stalking.

"Sometimes laws are created that don't quite reach as far as they should, and the anti-stalking law is a good example. It covers law enforcement officers, judges, community corrections offices and many others," said Ross, R-Naches, "but it leaves out the support staff in our police departments and sheriff's offices who have contact with criminals through their jobs, and the many volunteers who lend a hand and may put themselves at risk in the process. My bill would bring those folks under the protective umbrella of the law."

Ross has introduced or co-sponsored 21 public safety bills in his first session from the 14th Legislative District. Many of them died last week at the deadline for House policy committees to act on bills, but a few have survived, like HB 2170, which is his first public safety bill to receive House approval.

"The stronger bills I've sponsored, like the Families Before Felons legislation, haven't moved forward this session -- even though I believe their potential benefits are much greater than what House Bill 2170 would accomplish," Ross said. "But this bill would be an improvement in the law, and I'm glad it will now move to the Senate."

House Bill 1972, adopted Tuesday, is the first bill introduced by Ross to pass in the House. It would clarify what happens to proceeds when a county treasurer forecloses on property because of unpaid irrigation district assessments, and the property is sold.

Under HB 1972, any proceeds exceeding the amounts owed for delinquent assessments and other specified assessments, costs and interest, would go to the person who owned the property at the time of the delinquency.

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