FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 5881

C 438 L 19

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Addressing the installation of safety glazing or film sunscreening materials.

Sponsors: Senators King, Hobbs, Takko, Wellman, Saldaña, Rivers, Holy and Keiser.

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committee on Transportation

Background: Under current law, motor vehicles must be equipped with safety glazing material that meets certain federal standards. Safety glazing material is material that substantially reduces the likelihood of injury by objects from exterior sources or by the materials when they may be cracked or broken.

Generally, it is unlawful to apply film sunscreening or coloring material to the surface of the safety glazing material that reduces light transmittance to any degree. However, various exceptions exist in law. For example, a single sheet of film sunscreening may be applied to any window, except the windshield, if the film sunscreening has no more than a 35 percent total reflectance and a light transmission of at least 24 percent, where the vehicle is equipped with outside rearview mirrors on both the right and left. Additionally, certain specific exceptions apply to hearses, collector vehicles, limousines, ambulances, and other vehicles.

Persons or businesses tinting windows for profit who tint windows within restricted areas of the glazing system must supply a sticker to be affixed to the driver's door post, certifying that the glazing application meets legal standards for light transmission, reflectance, and placement requirements.

The following types of film sunscreening materials are not permitted:

• mirror finish products;

• red, gold, yellow, or black material; or

• material in liquid form that is brushed or sprayed on.

It is a traffic infraction to operate a vehicle on public highways if the vehicle violates the film sunscreening or coloring material requirements. It is a misdemeanor to unlawfully install safety glazing or film sunscreening materials. A misdemeanor carries a penalty of imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days, or a fine of not more than $1,000, or both imprisonment and a fine.

Summary: A knowledge element is added to the crime of unlawful installation of safety glazing or film sunscreening material; however, the crime remains a misdemeanor.

The separate offense of unlawful purchase or sale of safety glazing or film sunscreening material installation services is created. This crime is committed when a person provides or receives compensation with the knowledge that such compensation is for the purpose of installing safety glazing or film sunscreening material in violation of the legal standard. This new crime is a gross misdemeanor.

Votes on Final Passage: