Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Transportation Committee |
HB 2252
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. |
Brief Description: Concerning proof of payment for certain transportation fares.
Sponsors: Representative Fitzgibbon.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/16/12
Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315).
Background:
Metropolitan municipal corporations (Metros), regional transit authorities (RTAs), and city-owned transit systems (city-owned transits) are special purpose districts authorized to provide public transportation services within their respective boundaries. Passengers traveling on public transportation operated by Metros, RTAs, and city-owned transits are required to pay the established fare and to provide proof of payment when requested to do so by persons designated to monitor fare payment. Metros, RTAs, and city-owned transits are authorized to designate persons to monitor fare payment, and to establish a schedule of civil fines and penalties for civil infractions related to fare payment violations. A civil infraction not to exceed $250 may be issued by designated fare monitors to passengers who: fail to pay the fare; fail to provide proof of payment when requested to do so by a person designated to monitor fare payment; or refuse to leave the bus when asked by a person designated to monitor fare payment. The authority to issue civil citations for fare payment violations is supplemental to any other existing authority to enforce fare payment.Generally speaking, "public transportation service" means the transportation of packages, passengers, and their incidental baggage by means other than by chartered bus or sight-seeing bus, together with the terminals and parking facilities necessary for passenger and vehicular access to and from such systems.
Summary of Bill:
Metros, RTAs, and city-owned transits are authorized to require passengers to produce proof of payment in a manner determined by the transit agency. This authority includes the ability to require a person using an electronic fare payment card to validate the card through the use of an electronic card reader.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 11, 2012.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.