Work Zone Speed Safety Camera Program

This chapter applies to all adjudicative proceedings under the jurisdiction of the Washington state patrol for state highway work zone speed safety camera system infractions issued under RCW 46.63.200.

Except as they may be inconsistent with RCW 46.63.075, 46.63.200, or the rules in this chapter, the Washington state patrol adopts the model rules of procedure as set forth in chapter 10-08 WAC. Where the rules of this chapter conflict with those of chapter 10-08 WAC, the rules of this chapter govern.

The following definitions shall apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "DOL" means the Washington state department of licensing.

(2) "Hearing packet" means the documentary evidence that will be transmitted by the WSDOT to the OAH for each administrative hearing, including, but not limited to:

(a) The notice of infraction;

(b) The vehicle license plate images associated with the notice of infraction;

(c) The radar/lidar calibration certificate;

(d) The vehicle registration information;

(e) The petitioner's hearing request;

(f) Documents establishing worker presence; and

(g) The work zone speed safety camera deployment log.

(3) "Notice of infraction" means the document issued under RCW 46.63.030 and 46.63.200 notifying the registered owner of a work zone speed safety camera system violation.

(4) "OAH" means the Washington state office of administrative hearings.

(5) "Patrol" means the Washington state patrol.

(6) "Penalty" means the penalty assessed for a work zone speed safety camera system violation, as described in RCW 46.63.200(5).

(7) "Petitioner" means a person or business cited for a work zone speed safety camera system violation who requests a hearing in response to a notice of infraction.

(8) "WSDOT" means the Washington state department of transportation or its work zone speed safety camera system vendor.

(1) Adoption of brief adjudicative proceedings. Under RCW 34.05.410 (1)(a), the patrol hereby adopts the use of brief adjudicative proceedings for the following matters:

(a) Mitigation hearings in which the petitioner has admitted to the violation, under WAC 446-105-130;

(b) Payment plan hearings in which the petitioner has admitted to the violation, under WAC 446-105-140; and

(c) Contested hearings in which the only issue being raised is a denial of responsibility under RCW 46.63.075.

(2) Conversion to a formal adjudicative proceeding. The administrative law judge may, in their sole discretion, convert a brief adjudicative proceeding to a formal adjudicative proceeding whenever it appears that a brief adjudicative proceeding is insufficient to resolve the case.

(a) When a brief adjudicative proceeding is converted to a formal adjudicative proceeding, the OAH shall issue a new notice of hearing for a date not less than 15 calendar days from the date of the notice; and

(b) The OAH shall serve the petitioner and the patrol with the new notice of hearing.

(3) Procedure for brief adjudicative proceedings. The following procedure applies to brief adjudicative proceedings:

(a) An administrative law judge with the OAH will conduct the brief adjudicative proceeding.

(b) Not less than 14 calendar days before the date of the hearing, the OAH shall serve notice on the petitioner that a brief adjudicative proceeding will occur. The notice of hearing will contain the following:

(i) The date of the brief adjudicative proceeding;

(ii) Notice that the petitioner may submit additional relevant documentary evidence and sworn statements, if desired, along with a date by which these submissions must be made and instructions for doing so;

(iii) Notice that the administrative law judge's decision will be based on the written materials unless, within 10 calendar days of receiving the notice of hearing, the petitioner requests in writing to appear telephonically to submit sworn oral testimony.

(c) The administrative law judge, in their sole discretion, may send a written request for additional evidence to the petitioner or the patrol. The request will contain instructions for how to submit the additional evidence and the date by which additional evidence must be submitted.

(d) The administrative law judge's review will be limited to the record identified in subsection (4) of this section.

(e) If the petitioner has submitted a written request to appear telephonically, the administrative law judge will entertain oral testimony from the petitioner at a time and place designated by the administrative law judge.

(f) No witnesses, other than the petitioner, may offer oral testimony.

(g) Formal discovery, including depositions and interrogatories, is not allowed.

(h) The administrative law judge will issue an initial order within 15 calendar days of the date for final submission of written materials or oral testimony, if any.

(4) Record for brief adjudicative proceedings. The record for brief adjudicative proceedings will consist of the following:

(a) The hearing packet;

(b) Any additional records, sworn declarations, or oral testimony submitted by the petitioner; and

(c) Any additional evidence submitted by the parties at the written request of the administrative law judge.

(5) Effectiveness of orders on brief adjudicative proceedings. Initial orders on brief adjudicative proceedings shall become final 21 calendar days after mailing of the initial order unless the petitioner files a written petition for review.

(a) The petition for review must:

(i) Be filed with the OAH in accordance with WAC 10-08-110 within 21 calendar days of mailing of the initial order; and

(ii) Contain a concise statement of the issue(s) to be reviewed.

(b) The reviewing officer will be an administrative law judge with the OAH.

(c) The reviewing officer will issue a written final order that must include a brief statement of the reason(s) for the decision, and must be entered within 20 calendar days after the petition for review is filed with the OAH.

The OAH will conduct formal adjudicative proceedings for all work zone speed safety camera system infraction hearings other than those identified in WAC 446-105-040(1). At the conclusion of a formal adjudicative proceeding, the administrative law judge shall enter a final order.

The notice of infraction shall include the following:

(1) A statement that the notice represents a determination that the infraction has been committed by the person or business named in the notice, and that the determination shall be final unless contested as provided in RCW 46.63.200 and this chapter;

(2) A statement that the infraction is a noncriminal offense for which imprisonment may not be imposed as a sanction, and that the infraction may result in nonrenewal of the vehicle registration if any monetary penalty is not timely paid;

(3) A statement of the penalty established for the infraction;

(4) If the penalty is $0, a statement of the amount of the monetary penalty for second and subsequent infractions;

(5) A statement of the options provided in this chapter for responding to the notice of infraction and the procedures necessary to exercise these options;

(6) A statement that, at any hearing to contest the determination, the patrol has the burden of proving, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the infraction was committed;

(7) A statement that, at any hearing requested for the purpose of explaining mitigating circumstances surrounding the commission of the infraction or for requesting a payment plan only, the person or business will be deemed to have committed the infraction;

(8) A statement that the person or business must respond to the notice of infraction within 30 days of receipt; and

(9) A statement that failure to appear at a hearing requested for the purpose of contesting the infraction, explaining mitigating circumstances, or seeking a payment plan may result in the refusal of the DOL to renew the vehicle registration if any penalties imposed under RCW 46.63.200 or this chapter have not been satisfied.

The following vehicles are exempt from receiving an infraction for a work zone speed safety camera system violation:

(1) Any vehicle registered to a fire department;

(2) Any vehicle registered to a general authority law enforcement agency for use by a general authority Washington police officer, as defined in RCW 10.93.020;

(3) Any vehicle registered to a sovereign tribal government for use by a tribal police officer, as defined in RCW 10.92.010;

(4) Any vehicle registered to a federal law enforcement agency for use by a federal police officer, as defined in RCW 10.93.020;

(5) Any aid vehicle registered to an aid service, as defined in RCW 18.73.030, equipped with emergency lights and sirens;

(6) Any ambulance registered to a public or private ambulance service, as defined in RCW 18.73.030, equipped with emergency lights and sirens;

(7) Any organ transplant vehicle registered to an organ transplant service, as defined in RCW 18.73.030, equipped with emergency lights and sirens; and

(8) Any vehicle with valid diplomatic license plates.

Any person or business who receives a work zone speed safety camera system infraction for a vehicle that is exempt under WAC 446-105-070, may request a contested hearing to challenge the infraction.

(1) At the contested hearing, the person or business may be required to submit documentary proof that the vehicle meets the requirements for any of the exemptions listed in WAC 446-105-070.

(2) If the recipient of a notice of infraction fails to contest the infraction, the recipient will be liable for any penalty amount.

Any person or business that receives a notice of infraction must remit payment for any penalty or request a hearing within 30 calendar days of receiving the notice of infraction. For purposes of determining the date of receipt, a notice of infraction shall be deemed received upon the third day following the day upon which the notice of infraction is placed in the mail, unless the third day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, in which event the notice of infraction shall be deemed received on the first day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, following the third day.

Any person or business that receives a notice of infraction with a $0 penalty may:

(1) Admit the violation; or

(2) Request a hearing to contest the infraction.

Any person or business that receives a notice of infraction with a $248 penalty may:

(1) Admit the violation and pay the penalty;

(2) Admit the violation and request a hearing to mitigate the penalty and/or to establish a payment plan; or

(3) Request a hearing to contest the infraction.

(1) Work zone speed safety camera infraction penalties may be paid by credit/debit card, check, or money order.

(2) Payments may be made:

(a) By mail, using the payment coupon mailed with the notice of infraction;

(b) By telephone, as described on the instructions contained in the notice of infraction; and

(c) Online, by following the instructions for online payments contained in the notice of infraction.

(3) All payments must be made in full, unless a payment plan has been approved under WAC 446-105-140.

(a) Partial payments will not be accepted.

(b) If a payment plan has not been approved and a partial payment is received by mail, the payment will be returned to the sender.

(1) The purpose of a mitigation hearing is to allow the petitioner to offer evidence to explain why they believe the monetary penalty should be reduced.

(2) Any person or business who receives a work zone speed safety camera system notice of infraction with a $248 penalty may request a mitigation hearing after first admitting to the violation.

(3) A mitigation hearing is not available for a work zone speed safety camera system notice of infraction with a $0 penalty.

(1) Any person who receives a work zone speed safety camera system notice of infraction with a $248 penalty may request a hearing to establish a payment plan.

(2) A hearing to establish a payment plan is not available for a work zone speed safety camera system notice of infraction with a $0 penalty.

(3) A person or business may request a hearing for the sole purpose of establishing a payment plan after first admitting to the violation.

(4) If liability is established at a hearing to contest the infraction, the petitioner may still seek a payment plan during that hearing.

(1) Any person or business who receives a work zone speed safety camera system notice of infraction may request a hearing to contest the infraction.

(2) At the time a contested hearing is requested, the petitioner will be asked to identify the issues that they intend to raise at the hearing. The petitioner must identify all issues they intend to raise at the hearing when they make the hearing request.

(3) The petitioner may choose any of the following general issues at a hearing to contest the infraction:

(a) General denial. The petitioner does not believe they should be found liable for the infraction;

(b) Radar/Lidar. Challenges the proper operation of the radar/lidar equipment, including calibration;

(c) Worker presence. Challenges workers being present in the state highway work zone at the time of the violation, as defined in WAC 468-90-010;

(d) Nonresponsibility. The petitioner denies responsibility per RCW 46.63.075 because the vehicle was stolen, or the petitioner was not the person in control of the vehicle at the time of the violation;

(e) Exempt vehicle. The vehicle is exempt from the issuance of work zone speed safety camera infractions under WAC 446-105-070; and

(f) Other. Issues other than those identified in (a) through (e) of this subsection. The petitioner must describe in detail any other issues they intend to raise at the hearing.

(4) The issues the petitioner has identified will be reflected on the hearing notice that will be mailed. If no objection to the issues identified in the hearing notice is filed with the OAH within 10 calendar days after the date such notice is mailed, the notice will control the subsequent course of the proceeding unless modified for good cause by subsequent order.

All hearing requests may be made by mail, by telephone, or online at https://usview.cite-web.com/ by following the instructions contained in the notice of infraction.

(1) A notice of infraction represents a determination that the infraction has been committed, and the determination will be final unless it is contested.

(2) A person or business who receives a work zone speed safety camera system notice of infraction has 30 days from receipt, as defined in WAC 446-105-090, to respond as directed in the notice of infraction.

(3) The recipient must respond to all notices of infraction, whether the penalty is $0 or $248.

(4) If, within 30 days of receipt of the notice of infraction, the recipient does not respond by either admitting to the violation and paying any assessed penalty, or by requesting a hearing, a notification will be mailed finding the infraction committed and imposing the penalty identified in the notice of infraction.

(1) Timely submitted hearing requests will proceed to a brief adjudicative proceeding as described in WAC 446-105-040.

(2) Once a hearing request has been received, a hearing notice will be mailed to the address at which the vehicle is registered, unless the mailing address was updated by the petitioner at the time the hearing was requested.

(3) If a petitioner has submitted a request to appear telephonically, the hearing notice will contain the date and time of the hearing, and instructions for participating.

(a) A petitioner who has requested to appear telephonically must attend the hearing.

(b) If the petitioner cannot attend a scheduled hearing, the petitioner is responsible for contacting the OAH at the phone number provided on the hearing notice to request a new hearing date.

(1) Timely submitted hearing requests will proceed to a formal adjudicative hearing consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act and the provisions of this chapter.

(2) Once a request for a formal adjudicative hearing has been received, the OAH will mail a hearing notice to the address at which the vehicle is registered, unless the mailing address was updated by the petitioner at the time the hearing was requested.

(3) The hearing notice will contain the date and time of the hearing, and instructions for participating.

(4) Formal adjudicative proceedings will be held telephonically unless, within 10 calendar days of receiving the hearing notice, one or both parties request in writing to appear by videoconference.

(a) The request to appear by videoconference must be accompanied by a statement of the reason(s) for the request.

(b) The administrative law judge, in their sole discretion, will decide whether the formal adjudicative hearing shall be held by telephone or videoconference.

(5) The parties must attend the scheduled hearing. If the parties cannot attend a scheduled hearing, they are responsible for contacting the OAH in advance of the hearing to request a new hearing date.

The following persons may appear in a representative capacity at a hearing:

(1) An individual representing themself;

(2) An attorney at law duly qualified and entitled to practice before the supreme court of the state of Washington;

(3) A legal intern admitted to limited practice under Rule 9 of the Washington state supreme court's admission and practice rules. No legal intern, however, may appear without the presence of a supervising lawyer unless the administrative law judge approves the intern's sole appearance in advance; and

(4) A bona fide officer, partner, or owner of a business, association, partnership, or corporation who appears on behalf of such business, association, partnership, or corporation.

The parties should informally exchange information and documents relating to the case prior to the adjudicative proceeding. Formal discovery will be available only as follows:

(1) Methods and scope. Written discovery may be permitted at the discretion of the administrative law judge and to the extent authorized by CR 26(b). In permitting discovery, reference must be made to the civil rules applicable in court proceedings for guidance. The administrative law judge has the power to control the nature and frequency of discovery permitted, and to order discovery conferences to discuss discovery issues.

(2) Limitation on discovery. In addition to limitations on discovery set forth in any other applicable law, regulation, or rule, discovery does not include:

(a) Depositions; or

(b) Information or documents relating to work zone speed safety camera infractions issued to any person or entity other than the petitioner.

The documents contained in the hearing packet, which is defined in WAC 446-105-030(2), will be available to a petitioner prior to the administrative hearing. The hearing packet can be downloaded from https://usview.cite-web.com/ within 48 hours after a hearing request has been received. A petitioner may also obtain a copy of the hearing packet by calling the customer service center, toll free, at 1-833-576-0318.

(1) Hearing packet. Upon receipt of a request for a hearing, the hearing packet will be transmitted by the WSDOT to the OAH for consideration by the administrative law judge.

(2) Other evidence. During the hearing, any other documentary evidence or oral testimony may be admitted and considered by the administrative law judge.

(3) The administrative law judge may exclude evidence that is irrelevant, immaterial, or repetitious.

An administrative law judge with the OAH will enter a final order stating whether the petitioner is liable for any penalty. Orders issued as a result of a hearing will be provided to the petitioner and the patrol electronically or by mail. Orders that are mailed to the petitioner will be mailed to the address at which the vehicle is registered, unless the mailing address was updated by the petitioner.

If a petitioner is found liable for a work zone speed safety camera system infraction with a monetary penalty after an administrative hearing, or due to a failure to respond to the notice of infraction as required by RCW 46.63.200, unless otherwise specified in the order, payment is due within 30 days of the date of the final order. If the petitioner does not pay the amount due within the time allotted, a hold will be placed on the vehicle registration.

A petitioner can appeal a final order to superior court as specified in chapter 34.05 RCW.

A person or business can contact the DOL to find out if there is a hold on their vehicle registration renewal. To release a hold, the person or business must remit full payment for any unpaid work zone speed safety camera system infraction penalties. Payment may be initiated by calling the customer service center, toll free, at 1-833-576-0318.