SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6885
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Passed Senate, February 15, 2008
Title: An act relating to abstracts of driving records.
Brief Description: Expanding the list of persons and entities that may acquire driving record abstracts for certain purposes.
Sponsors: Senators King and Swecker.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/6/08, 2/11/08 [DP].
Passed Senate: 2/15/08, 48-0.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Marr, Vice Chair; Murray, Vice Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Benton, Berkey, Delvin, Eide, Holmquist, Jacobsen, Kastama, Kauffman, Kilmer, King, Pflug, Sheldon and Spanel.
Staff: Janice Baumgardt (786-7319)
Background: The Department of Licensing (DOL) maintains a case record on every person
licensed to operate a motor vehicle in Washington. These case records, or abstracts, contain
information relating to a person's driving record. Current law restricts the distribution of abstracts
to certain persons and uses.
The state of Washington and many local governments self-insure for property and liability risks,
including liabilities that may arise from the use of government-owned vehicles.
Abstracts for employees, prospective employees, volunteers, or prospective volunteers must be
accompanied by: (1) a release from the individual; and (2) an attestation from the employer or
volunteer organization that the information is necessary to determine whether the individual
should be employed to operate a commercial vehicle or school bus, or operate a vehicle for a
volunteer organization to transportation children, the elderly, or disabled persons.
Summary of Bill: The list of those who may receive abstracts is expanded to include state
colleges, universities and agencies for employment and risk management purposes, and units of
local government that are authorized to self-insure.
These added entities are not required to furnish: (1) a release from the individual; or (2) an
attestation that the information is necessary to determine whether the licensed should be
employed to operate a commercial vehicle or school bus, or operate a vehicle for a volunteer
organization to transport children, the elderly, or disabled persons.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 3, 2008.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on August 1, 2008.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This will give entities, that function as both employer and insurer, the same rights that insurance companies have with regard to drivers' abstracts.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator King, prime sponsor; Julie Murray, Washington State Association of Counties; Mel Sorensen, Choice Point.