January 15, 2007

Olympia…Sen. Dale Brandland, R-Whatcom County, completed the first week of the 2007 legislative session by introducing two bills that he says will help charities and keep kids safe. 

Brandland’s proposals, Senate Bill 5193 and SB 5198, would allow unclaimed personal property to be donated to nonprofit organizations and would impose stricter child seat belt laws, respectively.   

“These are two commonsense bills,” Brandland said.  “They make small changes to state law that I think will bring big changes to our charitable communities, and to how people think about child safety in vehicles.”  

SB 5193 permits unclaimed personal property to be donated to a nonprofit charitable organization.  Currently, cities and towns can only donate unclaimed items such as bicycles and toys.  

SB 5198 clarifies and enhances the responsibility of adults with children in their personal car and encourages parents to buckle up their kids.   

Brandland added that he plans to introduce more bills concerning children and public safety in the 2007 legislative session. 

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Sen. Dale Brandland represents the 42^nd District and is Senate Republican whip.  Brandland served as Whatcom County sheriff and a Bellingham police officer before being elected to the state Senate in 2002.  Brandland serves on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Committee, and the Senate Human Services and Corrections Committee.  He is also the ranking member on the Capital Budget Subcommittee. 

For more information contact Catherine Trinh (360) 786-7503 or trinh.catherine@leg.wa.gov