Prisoners who have served their time could end up paying more for their post-release supervision.
The state House passed a bill May 2 that would change the fee former inmates pay for their supervision from $15 per month to a one-time fee of between $400 and $600.
The bill also would require that all eligible for supervision to pay the fee.
Currently, some offenders can become exempt if they meet certain criteria, such as making a diligent effort to find a job or becoming a student.
The bill passed the House 94-0 but must be approved by the Senate and signed by the governor to become law.
North Olympic Peninsula representatives Kevin Van De Wege and Steve Tharinger, both Sequim Democrats, voted yes.
Here’s how they voted on other bills last week:
■ HB 1815, expands the maintenance and operations levy base for school districts.
The bill passed 90-5 May 2; Tharinger and Van De Wege voted yes.
■ HB 2070, exempts pay forgone by a public employee due to layoffs, reduced work hours or mandatory leave without pay from being calculated toward pensions.
The bill passed 90-4 May 2; Tharinger and Van De Wege voted yes.
■ HB 1738, designates the Health Care Authority as the state agency to administer Medicaid.
The bill passed 53-42 May 2; Tharinger and Van De Wege voted yes.
■ HB 1965, authorizes a nongovernmental private-public partnership to focus on the prevention and reduction of “adverse childhood experiences.”
The bill passed 57-38 May 2; Tharinger and Van De Wege voted yes.
■ HB 1277, requires the state Department of Social and Health Services to use additional funds to handle complaints involving long-term care facilities and create a quality accountability program for residential care services.
The bill passed 50-45 May 2; Tharinger and Van De Wege voted yes.
■ HB 1371, eliminates and modifies some state boards and commissions.
The bill passed 57-38 May 2; Tharinger and Van De Wege voted yes.
■ HB 1981, revises the retirement and annuity programs of the state’s institutions of higher education for future participants to reflect changes already made.
The bill passed 91-4 May 2; Tharinger and Van De Wege voted yes.
Tharinger and Van De Wege and Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam, represent the 24th District, which covers Clallam and Jefferson counties and part of Grays Harbor County.
The Senate did not vote on legislation last week.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
