SENATE BILL REPORT

                            HB 1220

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, FEBRUARY 18, 1994

Brief Description:  Revoking drivers' licenses for certain felonies.

SPONSORS: Representatives Chappell, Brumsickle, Campbell, Mastin, Ludwig, H. Myers, Johanson, Riley, Romero, Karahalios, Jones, Padden, Roland, Long, L. Johnson and Flemming

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators A. Smith, Chairman; Ludwig, Vice Chairman; Hargrove, Nelson, Quigley, Roach, Schow and Spanel.

Staff:  Lidia Mori (786‑7755)

Hearing Dates: February 18, 1994

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Licensing is required to revoke the driver's license of a person who has been convicted of any felony in which a motor vehicle was used.  The department must revoke the license regardless of whether the motor vehicle was necessary for the commission of the crime.  The revocation is for one year.

There is concern that the current statute is unclear and courts spend an inordinate amount of time trying to decide whether the statute applies to a defendant.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Licensing must revoke the driver's license of a person convicted of a felony, if a motor vehicle served an integral function in the commission of the felony.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Prosecutors and superior court judges are concerned about the current language in statute requiring revocation of one's driver's license when the person is convicted of a felony in which a motor vehicle was used.  It is causing courts to go overboard in linking the car to the crime in fairly technical ways.  It is taking longer to decide to revoke a defendant's driver's license than it is to try and sentence the defendant for the felony.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Representative David Chappell, prime sponsor (pro)