McCaslin to continue lead Republican post on Judiciary

December 18, 2008

OLYMPIA… Senate Republicans have announced which members will serve on the various Senate committees for the 2009 and 2010 legislative sessions. Sen. Bob McCaslin, R-Spokane Valley, will once again serve as the lead Republican member on the Senate Judiciary Committee.  

“I am very pleased to be named ranking Republican on the judiciary committee,” McCaslin said. “My goal is to work closely with the chairman and members on both sides of the aisle to pass legislation that protects our citizens from gang violence, sexual predators, identity theft, and other criminal behavior.”  

The Senate Judiciary Committee addresses issues in both civil and criminal law.  Some of the areas of civil law that are included are probate, corporations, Uniform Commercial Code, trusts and estates, family law, and tort reform.  In the arena of criminal law, the committee considers legislation affecting a wide range of subjects including criminal penalties and sentencing, drunk driving, domestic violence, identity theft, and animal cruelty.  In addition, the judiciary committee considers legislation affecting the courts and law enforcement. 

McCaslin also plans to be a voice for property owners as the judiciary committee works on issues related to eminent domain.  

“No citizen should live in fear of the government arbitrarily taking his or her property away to give to another private individual or business,” McCaslin said. “I will work with others to end this potential abuse of power.”