AN ACT Relating to fare payment and enforcement by regional transit authorities; amending RCW 81.112.020; adding new sections to chapter 81.112 RCW; creating a new section; and prescribing penalties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The purpose of this act is to facilitate ease of boarding of commuter trains and light rail trains operated by regional transit authorities by allowing for barrier free entry ways. This act provides regional transit authorities with the power to require proof of payment; to set a schedule of fines and penalties not to exceed those classified as class 1 infractions under RCW 7.80.120; to employ individuals to monitor fare payment or contract for such services; to issue citations for fare nonpayment or related activities; and to keep records regarding citations issued for the purpose of tracking violations and issuing citations consistent with established schedules. This act is intended to be consistent with and implemented pursuant to chapter 7.80 RCW with regard to civil infractions, the issuance of citations, and the maintenance of citation records.

Sec. 2. RCW 81.112.020 and 1992 c 101 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Authority" means a regional transit authority authorized under this chapter.

(2) "Board" means the board of a regional transit authority.

(3) "Service area" or "area" means the area included within the boundaries of a regional transit authority.

(4) "System" means a regional transit system authorized under this chapter and under the jurisdiction of a regional transit authority.

(5) "Facilities" means any lands, interest in land, air rights over lands, and improvements thereto including vessel terminals, and any equipment, vehicles, vessels, and other components necessary to support the system.

(6) "Proof of payment" means evidence of fare prepayment authorized by a regional transit authority for the use of trains, including but not limited to commuter trains and light rail trains.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 81.112 RCW to read as follows:

(1) An authority is authorized to establish, by resolution, a schedule of fines and penalties for civil infractions established in section 4 of this act. Fines established by a regional transit authority shall not exceed those imposed for class 1 infractions under RCW 7.80.120.

(2)(a) A regional transit authority may designate persons to monitor fare payment who are equivalent to and are authorized to exercise all the powers of an enforcement officer, defined in RCW 7.80.040. An authority is authorized to employ personnel to either monitor fare payment, or to contract for such services, or both.

(b) In addition to the specific powers granted to enforcement officers under RCW 7.80.050 and 7.80.060, persons designated to monitor fare payment also have the authority to take the following actions:

(i) Request proof of payment from passengers;

(ii) Request personal identification from a passenger who does not produce proof of payment when requested;

(iii) Issue a citation conforming to the requirements established in RCW 7.80.070; and

(iv) Request that a passenger leave the regional transit authority train, including but not limited to commuter trains and light rail trains, when the passenger has not produced proof of payment after being asked to do so by a person designated to monitor fare payment.

(3) Regional transit authorities shall keep records of citations in the manner prescribed by RCW 7.80.150. All civil infractions established by chapter . . ., Laws of 1999 (this act) shall be heard and determined by a district court as provided in RCW 7.80.010 (1) and (4).

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 81.112 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Persons traveling on trains, including but not limited to commuter trains or light rail trains, operated by an authority, shall pay the fare established by the authority. Such persons shall produce proof of payment when requested by a person designated to monitor fare payment.

(2) The following constitute civil infractions punishable according to the schedule of fines and penalties established by the authority under section 3(1) of this act:

(a) Failure to pay the required fare;

(b) Failure to display proof of payment when requested to do so by a person designated to monitor fare payment; and

(c) Failure to depart the train, including but not limited to commuter trains and light rail trains, when requested to do so by a person designated to monitor fare payment.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 81.112 RCW to read as follows:

Nothing in RCW 81.112.020 and sections 3 through 5 of this act shall be deemed to prevent law enforcement authorities from prosecuting for theft, trespass, or other charges by any individual who:

(1) Fails to pay the required fare on more than one occasion within a twelve-month period;

(2) Fails to sign a notice of civil infraction; or

(3) Fails to depart the train, including but not limited to commuter trains and light rail trains, when requested to do so by a person designated to monitor fare payment.