by
<a href="mailto:sharons@awcnet.org">Sharon Swanson</a>, <a href="mailto:shannonm@awcnet.org">Shannon McClelland</a> | Apr 05, 2019
<a target="_blank" href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5605&Year=2019&Initiative=false"><strong>SB 5605</strong></a> passed out of its policy committee in the House with a striker amendment.
SB 5605 passed out of its policy committee in the House with a striker amendment. The amendment cleaned up some language in the current law regarding the process and restrictions for misdemeanor vacations, incorporating marijuana vacations. The requirements and restrictions that apply to other vacation applications, appearing in subsection (2), do not apply to marijuana vacations. The amendment also retained the provision in the original bill that the court must vacate the marijuana conviction—it is not within the court’s discretion.
The committee also added the following language on the marijuana offenses eligible for vacation:
- A misdemeanor marijuana offense includes, but is not limited to: Any offense under RCW 69.50.4014, from July 1, 2004, onward; and
- Its predecessor statutes, including RCW 69.50.401(e), from March 21, 1979, to July 1, 2004, and RCW 28 69.50.401(d), from May 21, 1971, to March 21, 1979; and
- Any offense under an equivalent municipal ordinance.
SB 5605 must be voted out of House Appropriation by Tuesday, April 9 to continue this session.