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Friends Committee on Washington State Public Policy
ALERT
March 16, 2003
ALERT: Ask the Speaker not to pass House Bill 1210
Friends, House Bill 1210, this year's version of so-called Anti-Terrorism
legislation, should not pass out of the House Rules committee. We must encourage Rules committee members by Wednesday, especially Frank Chopp who
is the Speaker of the House and the Chair of the committee, NOT TO PASS HB
1210.
BACKGROUND: This bill would create six new felonies specific to terrorism -
felony terrorism, unlawful possession of a weapon of mass destruction, making terrorist threats in the first and second degrees, providing material
support or resources to terrorists, and unlawful possession of false
identification for terrorist purposes. There is no statute of limitations
for these crimes. All of these crimes cover acts already punishable by current law. No part of the bill addresses preventative
measures. Passage of the bill would not prevent terrorism. The leading new crime - Felony
Terrorism - is a level XV felony, the same as Murder 1, but could include
acts that didn't result in the death of any victims.
Inadequate definition of "weapons of mass destruction" has led to an interesting twist.
Representative Jeannie Darnielle, the only member to vote against passing it out of the policy
committee where the bill was first heard, recently introduced an amendment that would include firearms in the
definition of weapon of mass destruction. Attorney General Christine Gregoire, who developed and
prompted the legislation, wants that amendment
dropped and the gun lobby has mobilized to pressure Representative Darnielle
to withdraw it.
The Rules committee functions as a gatekeeper, determining which bills will
reach the Floor. Should this bill get Floor debate in the current climate of
fear, many members of the House of Representatives will likely vote for it,
sight unseen, assuming somehow that it will help keep us safe. Then the real
danger emerges in that it would go to the Senate, which could amend it further to
reintroduce death penalty provisions or some of the aspects that made this bill so objectionable last year such as warrantless wiretaps. The
time to stop this bill is now.
ACTION: Call or e-mail Speaker Chopp before Wednesday - 360-786-7920;
[email protected] - asking him politlely not to pass House Bill 1210 out
of Rules. Additionally, if any of your Representatives sit on Rules, send
them the same message. All legislators can be reached using the Legislative
Hotline 1-800-562-6000 Rules Committee Members are:
Frank Chopp - Chair (D), [email protected]
Cathy McMorris - ranking Republican member (R), [email protected]
Roger Bush (R), [email protected]
Jim Clements (R), [email protected]
Richard DeBolt (R), [email protected]
William Eickmeyer (D), [email protected]
Bill Grant (D), [email protected]
Kathy Haigh (D), [email protected]
Brian Hatfield (D), [email protected]
Sam Hunt (D), [email protected]
Fred Jarrett (R), [email protected]
Lynn Kessler (D), [email protected]
Steve Kirby (D), [email protected]
John Lovick (D), [email protected]
Joyce McDonald (R), [email protected]
Kirk Pearson (R), [email protected]
Laura Ruderman (D), [email protected]
Sharon Tomiko Santos (D), [email protected]
Beverly Woods (R), [email protected]
Thanks,
Alan Mountjoy-Venning
Use http://dfind.leg.wa.gov/dfinder.cfm
to find out who your legislators are
or call 1-800-448-4881 with your zip code.
Go to http://www.leg.wa.gov/wsladm/ses.htm
for extensive online information on legislators, legislation, our State Constitution and existing state law,
among many other things.
How to Contact Your Legislators:
Call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 or
Write your Senator and representatives at:
Senator _______________
PO Box 4048
Olympia, WA 98504-0482
Representative ___________
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
On the web at: http://www.leg.wa.gov/ follow the link to the Senate or
House, and click on your member's name to get their e-mail address.
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