Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Labor & Workplace Standards Committee

SB 6316

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: Prohibiting the consideration of the number of citations for traffic infractions issued by a law enforcement officer in the performance review of the officer.

Sponsors: Senators Holy, Pedersen, Padden, Dhingra, Hasegawa and Lovelett.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Prohibits the consideration of the number of citations an officer issues, or the amount of penalties assessed, in any performance review of the law enforcement officer.

Hearing Date: 2/24/20

Staff: Lily Smith (786-7175).

Background:

Both state and local law enforcement officers issue traffic citations. Generally, law enforcement officers have authority to issue citations for traffic infractions when the infraction is committed in the officer's presence.

The base penalty for each specific infraction type is set by rule adopted by the state supreme court. The Legislature has added a number of additional fees to each traffic infraction. Infraction revenue is shared among the state, the local government issuing the citation, and dedicated funding sources.

Summary of Bill:

The number of citations for traffic infractions, or the amount of penalties assessed from the citations, may not be considered in a law enforcement officer's performance review, evaluation, rating, assessment, salary, promotion, or assignment.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.