HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  HB 2733 

Title:  An act relating to representation of persons subject to traffic infraction proceedings.

Brief Description:  Allowing family member representation for traffic charges against non‑English speaking persons.

Sponsors:  Representatives Wensman, Mastin, Skinner, Rockefeller and Santos.

                    Brief Summary of Bill

CAllows a person who is not fluent in English to be represented by an immediate family member in traffic infraction hearings.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Staff:  Edie Adams (786-7180).

Background:

The Motor Vehicle Title of the code establishes rules relating to driving and the roadways, and violations of many of these rules are civil traffic infractions.  A person who is issued a notice of traffic infraction may respond either by not contesting the infraction and paying the fine or by asking for a hearing to contest the infraction or explain mitigating circumstances.

Statute and court rules provide procedures applicable to any proceeding to contest a determination that a person has committed a traffic infraction or to explain mitigating circumstances.  Both the statute and court rules provide that a person may be represented by counsel at the proceeding.

Summary of Bill:

A person subject to traffic infraction proceedings may be represented by an immediate family member if the person is not fluent in English.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

                 Office of Program Research