SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 2425

BYRepresentatives Rasmussen, Dorn, McLean, Ebersole, Rayburn, Heavey, Van Luven, Kirby, Spanel, Walker, K. Wilson, Betrozoff, Brumsickle, Jesernig, Moyer, Raiter, Winsley, Wood, S. Wilson, Brough, Fuhrman, Wolfe, Miller, Sprenkle, Todd, Crane, Smith, Rector, Wineberry, Forner, Tate, Basich, Youngsman, Zellinsky, May, O'Brien and Ferguson

Authorizing revocation of driving privileges for violation of drug and alcohol laws.

House Committe on Judiciary

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 21, 1990; February 22, 1990; February 23, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Nelson, Chairman; Hayner, Madsen, Newhouse, Niemi, Patrick, Rasmussen, Rinehart, Talmadge, Thorsness.

Senate Staff:Dick Armstrong (786-7460)

                  February 26, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE FEBRUARY 23, 1990

BACKGROUND:

In 1988 and 1989, the Legislature enacted laws that required the suspension of a person's driving privileges when the person committed alcohol or drug law violations, whether or not the violations were related to driving.  The current law applies generally to persons under the age of 18 with respect to alcohol law violations and persons under the age of 21 with respect to drug law violations.  A first violation results in the loss of driving privileges for one year or until age 17, whichever is later.  A second or subsequent violation results in loss of driving privileges for two years or until age 18, whichever is later.

A person convicted of a motor vehicle law violation that results in the loss of driving privileges may be able to get an "occupational" driver's license.  Such a license allows the person to drive when necessary for the person's employment.

SUMMARY:

A person under the age of 18 who is convicted of a liquor law violation will lose his or her privilege to drive.  A person of any age who is convicted of a drug law violation will lose his or her privilege to drive.

Persons over the age of 17 but under the age of 21 may avoid the loss of the driver's license by attending a Department of Licensing approved alcohol or substance abuse awareness class.

A person who loses his or her privilege to drive for a non-traffic related drug or alcohol violation, may request an occupational driver's license.  Such a person may also request a special "treatment" driver's license to permit him or her to attend an alcohol or drug treatment program.

The House Judiciary Committee and Senate Law & Justice Committee are to study ways of deterring 18, 19, and 20 year olds from committing nondriving alcohol law violations.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 4, 1990

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENTS:

All provisions of the House bill are deleted.

A person under the age of 21 who is convicted of a liquor law violation (Chapter 66.44 RCW) is subject to loss of his or her privilege to drive.  A person over the age of 17 but under the age of 21 may avoid the loss of the privilege to drive by attending an alcohol/drug information school approved by DSHS.

Senate Committee - Testified: PRO:  Rep. Rasmussen; Rep. Wineberry; Wes Hamilton, Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs; Gerri Wolfe, MADD